In 1984, Habitat Coosa Valley joined the international community of Habitat for Humanity, taking on the united mission of building homes and hope. Since then, Habitat Coosa Valley has built 60 houses for families throughout our service area and just short of half of those families have paid off their mortgages. 2024 marks 40 years of dedicated service empowering local families to become homeowners, and the nonprofit is celebrating this momentous anniversary in a big way. On Saturday, March 23, the organization will host a 40th birthday celebration and everyone is invited.
“We want it to be fun. We want to celebrate our mission, (which is) to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, community and hope” said Betsy Allgood, Habitat Coosa Valley’s Director.
The celebration will take place from 11:00am – 3:00pm at Habitat Coosa Valley’s ReStore, which is located at 504 East First Ave. There will be a bouncy house, provided by The House of Bounce & Balloons, El Arco Food Truck, music, arts and crafts for the kids, and of course birthday cupcakes! In addition, there will be a 40% OFF your purchase at the ReStore (some exclusions). Special recognitions will be made at 1:00pm by the Executive Director.
Beyond Saturday’s event, Habitat Coosa Valley will continue to celebrate the anniversary with fun festivities throughout the remainder of the year.
We have a full year of celebrations planned. We will be hosting our Overall Ball on June 22 at Christopher Browning Pavilion @ Oak Hill. Tickets include dinner, cocktails, an auction, and live music featuring Kevin Allen and Band. The dress is casual for a fun summer night out!
In the fall, we will host an Adult Field Day as well as our 5th annual Drive One FORE! Habitat golf tournament. We will finish out our yearlong celebration on November 30th at the Rome City Auditorium with a viewing of, It’s a Wonderful Life. So there is something for everyone to participate in!
Through the years, Habitat Coosa Valley has worked to help meet the urgent need for secure, affordable housing by helping local families to purchase their first home.
“There is a misconception that we just give homes away. But our partner families have to meet a lot of different requirements before they are accepted into our homeownership program. We evaluate families based on need, ability to pay and willingness to partner,” Allgood explains.
At the beginning of the process, Habitat Coosa Valley will go into the applicant families’ homes and access needs.
We are seeing if they are paying too much for rent, if it is overcrowded, if there are health and/or safety concerns.
Then, our committee determines whether families have the ability to pay a mortgage, which is typically more affordable because our mortgages are interest free.
Lastly is willingness to partner. Habitat Coosa Valley requires families to invest their own time and effort during the process. “Before our partner families go to the closing table, they have to complete a minimum of 250 sweat equity hours. Sweat Equity means they are working in our ReStore, completing financial literacy courses, working with other non-profits in our community and on the job site of their own home. They are literally raising the walls with the volunteers and donors who are committed to our mission. It’s a long hard process and it’s so important because these are first-home homebuyers and they are making a difference for their family from this point forward.” Applications for Habitat open once annually, and families must make between 40 and 70 percent of the median income to quality.
“Habitat is about building better futures, and with the help of the community we are able to help families eliminate barriers to a better, healthier, more financially stable life. It truly is a hand up, not a hand out” said Allgood.
