Habitat for Humanity at Boston University

In January 2008, BU Habitat for Humanity pledged its support and $50,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell (MA) to sponsor a home in the Boston area. We have successfully raised $23,000 but need your help to break ground in fall 2009 and make a family’s dream become a reality.

Habitat for Humanity International “seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.” The BU chapter of Habitat for Humanity was founded by a small group of dedicated students in 1998 with the ambition to provide affordable housing to families. Membership has since expanded to over one hundred students who go on build trips several times a month, and host fundraising and housing awareness events on campus.

The house will provide safe and decent living conditions for a family that could not afford otherwise. This home will allow the family access to resources such as better social services and education. Stable housing provides security, safety, increased health and wellness, and job and educational prospects. Habitat for Humanity will sell the house at cost in addition to providing a 20 year interest-free mortgage. The habitat house will be a LEED certified energy-efficient home.

Habitat homes build awareness of housing issues in the community. The family chosen to buy this house will be required to put in 400 hours of “sweat equity,” consisting of education, training, and/or building. This project will create awareness and opportunities for the 18,521 undergraduate students at Boston University to become involved with affordable housing.