Marketing Materials

Habitat for Humanity Valley of the Sun Online Press Kit

Contact Info

Habitat for Humanity Valley of the Sun
P.O. Box 20186
Phoenix, Arizona 85036

602.268.9022
fax 602.268.9206

e-mail: info [at} habitataz [dot] org
website: http://www.habitataz.org

Our Mission

Habitat for Humanity, Valley of the Sun, a Christian-based organization, is an advocate for eliminating sub-standard housing by creating partnerships to build and renovate owner occupied housing.

Construct simple, decent, affordable homes with valley residents in need and with volunteers efficiently and effectively.
Unite people of good will across race, ethnic, religious and geographic boundaries to build community in the metro Phoenix area.
Provide a “hand up” to our family Partners as they work to build their homes and transform their lives.
Highlight the issue of affordable housing in the metro Phoenix area, insisting that no one in our area should go to sleep at night without a decent roof over his or her head.

The Problem

Even with the market slow-down, the median price of an existing single-family home at the end of 2007 was $241,070, 17% higher than the national median.
It takes an average hourly wage of at least $38.92 to afford a home or an hourly wage of $15 to rent according to the AZ Department of Housing. The median hourly wage is only $9.
The U.S. Census Bureau’s 2005 American Community Survey data reveal that in Arizona, almost half of all renters and close to 34 percent of homeowners spend more than 30 percent of their incomes on housing. That equates to 556,864 households or more than 1.67 million people.
Home prices have been increasing faster than income: According to the data from Federal Housing Finance Board, home prices in Arizona have been steadily on the rise. From year 2000 to 2006, the median sales price of homes in Arizona increased by 85%. During the same period, median family income increased by only 15%.

Our Solution

Founded in 1987, we have completed more than 466 homes in the metro Phoenix area, areas we have built in Guadalupe, Glendale, Capitol Mall, Sunnyslope, South Phoenix, East Lake, Park Central, Chandler, Mesa, Tempe, Apache Junction and Nuestro Barrio.
Habitat for Humanity – Valley of the Sun builds entire communities. In 1994, Valley of the Sun began construction on the most aggressive Habitat project ever conceived. South Ranch is an affordable housing community that provides homes for 195 working families.
Both South Ranch (195 homes) and our Villas Esperanza (93 homes) have been designed with a community park and sidewalks throughout the neighborhood.South Ranch also features a community center for educational and recreational activities.
Habitat for Humanity – Valley of the Sun is an independent affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. We operate under the same principles as HFHI, but we do all local fundraising, have a separate Board of Directors and our own 501(c)(3) designation.
Habitat – Valley of the Sun builds new housing, mainly on donated parcels of land. The 40 acres used for the South Ranch community was donated by Bank One and the 20 acres used for Villas Esperanza was donated by Stardust Companies. Corporations, Individuals, Foundations, Faith and Civic groups sponsor homes at $85,000. Their “sponsorship” funds the cost of the construction materials.
Our homeowners are our partners in the building process and work 400 hours of labor on the construction of their home and others’ homes. This is called “sweat equity” and all homeowners must complete the sweat equity prior to moving into their home.
Habitat families pay zero interest on their mortgages and the average monthly mortgage payment is $400-500. Habitat – Valley of the Sun homes are affordable for families earning between 30% - 60% of the area median income.
Criteria to qualify for a Habitat for Humanity home includes:
- Have a two-year history of stable income between 30 and 60% of the median income in the metro Phoenix area (according to the Arizona Department of Housing and Urban Development).
- Have a good history of credit and paying debts.
- Demonstrate the need for adequate housing.
- Complete 400 hours of sweat equity. The family works first 100 hours building a fellow homeowner's house, and the remaining 300 hours is spent working on their own home.
- Attend classes in home maintenance, finance (budgeting, debt management and credit), and home ownership.
- U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident status.

Our Needs

Please see our wish list.

Donate Now

Make an on-line donation in support of Habitat for Humanity Valley of the Sun.

Photo Gallery

Check out the progress of our latest homes and events

View Gallery »