According to Neil Smith in "Is Gentrification a Dirty Word", gentrification is when poor and working class neighborhoods are being restructured by the middle-class.  This is what is happening in South Phoenix, where home builders are building new homes on formerly agriculture land. Prior to the new building in this area, it was snubbed by the middle-class. So what is happening to the residents who have lived in South Phoenix for years before those new homes that are now being built?  Are they being displaced as many think? The cost of the new homes is expensive, which the poor and working class can not afford.  There is an alternative to the gentrification for the poor and working class, Habitat for Humanity.

 For many years South Phoenix has had a bad rap of being a bad area due to all the crime and drugs in the area.  With all the new building going on, South Phoenix is getting a face lift, which contributes to gentrification. Those who are unable to help themselves will leave as the area is being "restored". New development affords residents who are able to help themselves, the opportunity to remain in the revitalized area and absorb what will come next.

I have heard about Habitat for Humanity on the news for quite some time.  Jimmy Carter’s name was always mentioned when Habitat for Humanity was on the news or in a commercial.  In our Learning from South Phoenix class, I had an opportunity to volunteer and help build a Habitat for Humanity house.  Also some Habitat staff members came to speak with us about the history, funding, and guidelines that make this organization work.  This is where I leaned I was wrong about how it works.

Habitat for Humanity is an international non-profit agency that builds houses for families in need. This organization was founded in 1976 by Millard & Linda Fuller.  The Fullers felt that just because people are poor, opportunities should not be passed over them. Most people thought Jimmy & Roslyn Carter were the founders, when in fact the Carters are supporters of Habitat for Humanity.

I thought that a family who is having a Habitat house built does not have to qualify or pay for the house that the house was given to them.  But I learned that a family must first qualify and also pay for their home.  According to Habitat for Humanity, here is an example of how a family must qualify for a home:

1. The family must show that they are not living in safe conditions as identified by the Habitat for Humanity housing evaluation criteria (for example, lack of safe living conditions, overcrowded housing conditions, excessive home rental costs, which should not be more than 30% income for housing, and should be a first time home buyer).        

2.  The family household gross income must be between 30% and 65% of the median income for the Phoenix area for the past 2 years.  Income figures will vary due to size of family.

3. The family must have a good credit history and a good record of paying rent and utilities.

4. The family must be able to pay the closing costs of the home which is about $1650.

5. The applicant must be a U.S. Citizen, a permanent resident alien or in the process of becoming a U.S. Citizen.

6.         The family must be willing to contribute 400 hours of sweat equity toward building of their home.

The family must attend classes on homeownership, finance and home maintenance.

The cost of a Habitat for Humanity home is:

·                    $93,000 is for a 3-bedroom home

·                    $95,000 is for a 4-bedroom home

The mortgage payment is based on the family’s annual income.  The payment ranges from about $360-750 per month, but will not be more than one-third of the household income following federal definition for housing affordability.  Monthly payments include principal payment, property taxes, homeowners insurance, maintenance fee account and Home Owners Association fees.  The mortgage is carried through Habitat at 0% interest, which helps make the house affordable.

The Habitat house we worked on was at the Villas Esperanza (which means “Village of Hope”) community at 15th Avenue and St. Catherine Streets, where I am glad I had the opportunity to help.  There will be 93 homes in Villas Esperanza when completed.  Everyone worked hard on the house and helped each other out when needed.  For lunch, we met at the park in the South Ranch community at 15th Street and St. Catherine, where there are 195 Habitat homes that started building 10 years ago and finished about two years ago. The community had a new and refreshing look. I really felt good about working that day on a home because I know someone is going to get that house who really deserves it, and they will take care of it the way the homes are cared for in South Ranch community.  For more information about Habitat for Humanity visit their website at www.habitatforhumanity.com.

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