Exciting News!

• The Habitat Dragon Boat Festivals in 2012 and 2013 raised enough funds to build two houses.
• We are starting House #44 in Ball Play. Volunteers are always welcome
• We typically build 3 houses a year. We built our first house in 1998.
• We are a volunteer-driven affiliate with one paid part-time and one volunteer staff member.
• We usually accept applications once or twice a year
• We advertise open application periods in the newspaper, on our website, radio ads, flyers, and personal mail-outs to those who have inquired about applying.
• We select families based on Habitat for Humanity guidelines: Need, ability to pay, willingness to partner and (locally) at least a one-year residency in Etowah County.
• We serve families whose income ranges between 25% and 60% of the area median income.
• Once a family is selected, they enter our "pipeline" where they work and complete 300-hrs. of sweat-equity, a $600 downpayment, first year's insurance premium (approx. $800), and 12 partnership classes consisting of budget counseling, making and keeping to a budget, understanding their credit report, how to get a better job or further their education, lawn care, house maintenance, and attend monthly Family Focus hour, a one-on-one family opportunity to explore new resources.
• We have a mailing list of 2,600 for The Blueprint, our newsletter.
• We also have our Habitat Dragon Boat Festival website: www.habitatdragonboat.com as well as a Facebook page.