2601 Atkinson Ave.
Killeen, TX 76543
USA
Gene Bauer - Executive Director
Sweat Equity Terms
There are several terms associated with sweat equity hours. The number of hours associated with these terms depends on the number of family members in the family over 16. There are minimums for a and b, and maximums for c below.
a. Initial hours: These are the hours that a family must complete before they go on the waiting list to get their home. Any family that does not complete their initial hours will never get on the waiting list.
b. Homeowner family hours: This is the number of hours that a family must perform on the homes of other families and/or on their own home.
c. Donated hours: This is the number of hours that family and friends may donate to the homeowner family. These hours must be at a Habitat work site and/or work organized for and by Habitat. It is a very popular way for church groups, co-workers, or civic organizations to help one of their members. If a homeowner family does not receive these hours donated by others, they must complete them themselves.
d. Total hours: A minimum of b + maximum of c above. For example, a single mother with children under 16 would have to work 300 hours. After 75 initial hours she will be placed on the waiting list. She would have to work at least 100 hours of her own and may have up to 200 hours donated.
e. Job Site Hours: Homeowner family hours (b above) must be completed on a Habitat job site.
All initial hours must be completed before being assigned to a home. Once construction begins on a homeowner’s home they must be at the work site every Saturday that their home is being built. Normally the Fort Hood Area Habitat for Humanity builds a home in 12 days. This is, of course, 12 Saturdays. If for some reason the home takes longer to build and regardless of the number of hours a family has completed, they must be there for every Saturday of construction. All partner families must finish their sweat equity hours before they move into a Habitat home.
Other Ways to Earn Sweat Equity Hours:
Attendance at “required” classes: There are a number of classes about finances and homeownership that the applicant and co-applicant must attend. They are counted as homeowner hours in b above.
Other classes attended: Habitat may give homeowner hours for other classes, especially if recommended by one of the required classes. Classes in budgeting, home maintenance, etc… may be counted. Homeowners must get approval from the Family Nurture Committee prior to attending to get these classes counted toward their hours.
Other work for Habitat for Humanity: There are a lot of things that go into the Habitat program that make it successful. Office work, phone calls, mailings, warehouse work, committee work, fund raising, etc… Homeowners can get credit for these hours.
School age children of partner families: Children age 16 and over are required to complete 50 hours of the family’s total hours. However, children under age 16 often want to get involved and help too. Our insurance restricts us from allowing them to help at a Habitat job site. In order to provide them an opportunity to participate, they can help with the donated hours by bringing home good grades from school. Their family will get 4 hours for every A on a report card, 3 hours for every B, and 2 hours for every C. This is a very popular and positive way of including the younger children.
Speaking engagements: One key ingredient to Habitat’s success is getting the word out. Family members may get 3 hours for each speaking engagement set up by Habitat.
GED or College work: If families have members who need to get their GED or who are enrolled in college, they may earn hours for work completed while in the Habitat program.
Caregiver time: If a family must employ a babysitter (either paid or volunteer) while the family does their hours for Habitat, then that caregiver’s time (plus one hour for travel time) may be used as donated hours.
Other Important Notes About Sweat Equity Hours:
All hours are tracked by the Family Nurture Committee and recorded with associated documentation. Associated documentation may mean, for example, a copy of the certificate of completion for a required class.
Time limits: A family that is selected into the Habitat program has a certain time within which they must complete certain phases of their hours. Regardless of the number of hours a family must do to obtain a home, they must complete 75 hours within 6 months of being selected. They must complete another 75 within the next 6 months (total of 12 months since being selected). The family must have their total hours completed within 18 months of being selected.
Disabilities: Often we have individuals with different levels of disabilities who are either members of homeowner families that need to complete sweat equity hours or are volunteers who want to become involved with helping others. We are always able to find constructive ways for them to actively help.
Fax: 254-680-4839
Email: habitat@clearwire.net
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