Our mission is to build decent, affordable homes and provide home ownership opportunities to qualified families who live and work in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Together, our volunteers and families have built 65 homes, with further plans extending through the foreseeable future.
Habitat is building 13 affordable homes in Watsonville for low-income first-time homebuyer families. Santa Cruz County is ranked one of the least affordable places in California for housing. This means that many people leave the area, weakening the economy and community. Our affordable homeownership transforms communities into places where people can thrive and build families for years to come.
To qualify for our core program, first-time homebuyer households must earn 50%-80% of area median income, have a need for improved housing, and be willing to partner with us to provide 500 hours of “sweat equity.”
They help build their homes alongside the Habitat professional construction crew and generous volunteers. Once their homes are complete, families obtain an affordable mortgage, paying no more than 30% of income on housing costs. We empower families with in-depth homeowner education to improve and maintain all facets of their lives. Through this, and the affordable mortgage, families build strength, stability, and self-reliance.
Please help us support these families and future Habitat homeowners.
My biggest fear has been having to move out of the area, away from my husband Brian’s doctors, caregivers, and support network. Our Habitat home means never having to leave. It’s a huge relief!
Veronica, Santa Cruz, age 48
