Middlesex Habitat for Humanity celebrates its 25th anniversary

Habitat for Humanity International is a global nonprofit organization working to help communities around the world thrive by providing safe and stable places to live. Its impact can be felt in more than 70 countries around the world. In our community, Habitat for Humanity Middlesex works with this large and successful organization to help individuals in Middlesex County realize the dream of home ownership.

This year marks the 25th year of your local chapter changing lives in Middlesex County. While Habitat for Humanity International provides structural support and donations from corporate sponsors, the local chapter relies mostly on fundraising drives and volunteers to accomplish the building of new homes. Habitat for Humanity Middlesex partners with generous local donors, contractors, electrical and plumbing providers, as well as a team of untrained volunteers to construct quality homes and provide housing security in your community.

Why is Habitat for Humanity needed?

Nationally and locally, there is an affordable housing crisis due to a shortage of entry level homes and rising prices. It is estimated that one in four renters across the U.S. are paying more than 50% of their household income in rent. With home ownership out of reach, existing racial, wealth, health and educational disparities continue to deepen.  While having safe and stable places to call home is vitally important to an individual family, it also impacts our county. There is good evidence that safety improves, and crime goes down in communities with stable housing.

Housing insecurity impacts families and especially families with children. According to Dr. Megan Sandel, associate professor at Boston Schools of Medicine and Public Health, and the Grow Clinic for Children at Boston Medical School, there are four aspects of housing that affect a child’s health. The quality, stability, affordability and location of housing have both short and long-term effects on children’s health and development. Children who live in safe, stable housing enjoy better health and better success in school when compared to families facing eviction or the difficult choice of whether to spend household income on groceries, medications, or keeping the lights on. Studies show that children experiencing food insecurity were two-fold less likely to be underweight if they were in a stable housing situation compared to those living in unstable or unsuitable housing. Dr. Sandel compares quality housing to a vaccine. Like a vaccine, stable housing provides a measure of protection or resilience in the face of future threats.

Learn more at habitat.org.