The Availability of Foreclosed Houses has made Habitat Change its Methods

Till 2009, Habit for Humanity followed its own beaten track of putting deserving families into the right houses. It collected donations to purchase land and then build the house from the foundation by using volunteers as workers. But with so many foreclosed houses being available Habitat has changed its methods of approach.

The new year of 2009 is seeing innumerable foreclosed houses lying vacant. Washington is trying to hand out millions for the renovation of these units and this made Atlanta Habitat to do some rethinking. It is now planning to refurbish the old abandoned house in addition to the making of new ones. Habitat is adjusting to the call of the new market order. Leslie Merriman of Habitat aptly says, “We have to adapt to what the economy is handing us.”

There are many local affiliates in the suburban counties that are going to tap into these government measures. It will enable them to buy the foreclosed house and give it a new touch for those waiting for shelter. Some of the local bodies have already forayed into the job renovating foreclosed houses into affordable homes and the money coming from the feds will enable them to expand their activities.

In northern part of Fulton County, Habitat could sufficient funds to buy four empty houses in Roswell during the past few months. In Coweta County there are plans to purchase 20 such units. In the affluent localities of Atlanta it is difficult to find the right type of houses for renovation. Many of the houses are double or triple the size of the typical houses of Habitat. But despite these constraints Habitat is optimistic about the new measures being undertaken. If successful, more high-ended localities will open up for the middle class.

There are 900 houses in foreclosure right across Coweta. Some of these cost a mere $30,000. The local Habitat group hopes to buy 20 of these and after doing the repair works sell them for $98,000 each. These will double the number of families who will be placed in affordable homes. Merriman said, “Bottom line, our goal is to provide decent, affordable housing for qualified families. We will look at any and all the opportunities out there.”

Habitat together with its affiliates across America is gearing up to renovate foreclosed abandoned houses with the help of federal funds according to Stephen Seidel of Habitat for Humanity International. Renovation of old houses does not imply that Habitat will forego its conventional practices.