ABOUT US
Will County Habitat for Humanity
Since its incorporation in 1988, Habitat for Humanity has built 53 houses in our community - 20 houses in Joliet and 32 houses in Lockport Township. The houses are on scattered sites. This affordable housing program qualifies families earning 30 to 50 percent of the median income for our area. Selected families must have good credit because Habitat for Humanity not only builds a house with them, Habitat also loans the family the money to purchase the house. No profit is added to the house price and the loan has zero interest. Families must demonstrate need for the Habitat housing during their selection process.
The Family Partnership
In addition to being financially capable to pay back a mortgage, selected Habitat families commit to work a minimum of 350 hours of sweat equity helping to build their own home and other Habitat families' homes. Families also attend mandatory seminars on budgeting and home maintenance as part of their preparation for homeownership. At times the building process, doing sweat equity and moving into and adjusting to their new house can be daunting for a family so Habitat for Humanity relies upon its family advocate volunteers to walk beside their particular family as a friend and a resource until the family has been living in their house for a year - longer, if mutually agreed upon
The Community Partnership
Besides volunteerism, partnership is at the core of the Habitat for Humanity program. The Habitat program is not just for the betterment of families, it also betters the community.
The building and trades classes at Lockport Township High School have constructed 10 Habitat houses in Fairmont in as many years.
Two classes of students per school day each work an hour and a half learning about the trades by working in a real laboratory setting.
Joliet Junior College HVAC and electrical classes work on Habitat for Humanity sites as well.
WILCO Career Center began a partnership in the 2006-2007 school year.
These are win-win situations where the students receive real hands-on instruction and Habitat gets a house constructed.
The partnership of Habitat for Humanity with the County of Will and the City of Joliet has provided much needed HOME dollars in support of the house building. These HOME dollars coupled with a house sponsorship of $65,000 and hours of volunteer time assure that families are selected and supported, land is acquired, building materials are purchased (or donated) and the structure is completed.
Volunteers come from corporations, churches and interested individuals. The same is true of dollars and gifts-in-kind. One of the most exciting partnerships in recent times was the 2004 partnership with Kensington Homes and Lakewood Homes. Both of these homebuilders funded and built side-by-side Habitat houses in Lockport on Rev. Walton Drive.
Will County Habitat for Humanity
200 S. Larkin
Joliet, IL 60436
Phone: 815-726-1880
Fax: 815-726-1882
Email: info@habitatwill.org
Serving all of Will County since 1988
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