Ecconomic realities have forced Habitat For Humanity in the Charlottesville, Virginia area to rethink its model for affordable housing.  Habitat For Humanity is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping low-income families achieve home ownership.

In the past Habitat has realized its objectives by purchasing reasonably priced lots and building affordable homes for quallified applicants on them.  However lot prices in Charlottesville and Albemarle County have skyrocketed in the past few years.  In 2001 Habitat could find a suitable lot to buy in Charlottesville for around $13,000; now that same lot would cost around $80,000, a price that Habitat has no way of meeting.

As a result Habitat has changed its focus toward building high density housing in a mixed neighborhood model close to jobs and public transportation.  With the current real estate prices Habitat for Humanity provides the only chance for homeownership for families earning an income of $20,000 - $40,000 a year.  Currently Habitat has about 32 families working on their "sweat equity" while waiting for a home to become available. 

Habitat has also been building homes in Fluvanna and Louisa Counties in Virginia.  Nationally one of Habitat's better known projects has been the building of homes in "musicians village" in New Orleans.

For more information on Habitat for Humanity in Charlottesville visit their website.

Pam Dent, e-PRO, SRES(R)
Real Estate III
Charlottesville, Virginia
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