How does Habitat for Humanity works?

St. Luke’s has been building houses for low-income families in partnership with West Orange Habitat for Humanity. Habitat is NOT a charity for participants. The families:

• are selected by West Orange Habitat for Humanity
• must qualify for their mortgage through showing adequate income and good credit history
• must perform 500 hours of sweat equity working on their home or other Habitat homes prior to closing.

West Orange Habitat for Humanity also:

• Provides us with the building lot, cleared and ready for construction.
• Holds a 20 year, zero interest mortgage for each homeowner.
• Provides partial funding for materials.

St. Luke's involvements:

• Donating more than half of necessary funding for materials and sub-contractors.
• Working with the St. Luke's Habitat for Humanity Ministry Team to plan all phases of construction.
• Ministry team purchases materials; coordinate sub-contractors; arrange for multiple inspections; organize, train and oversee volunteers to build the house; feed, hydrate, pray and support those workers; keep the congregation informed about the progress; and nurture the family along the way.
• Involving all members and friends of St. Luke’s who want to donate their time and resources to Habitat for Humanity.

Money from sponsors like us and from the community, donated sub-contractor labor, donated building supplies-along with the mortgage payments of the Habitat homeowners enable WOHFH to purchase land and materials for new homeowners. Since most of the labor is donated, the mortgage amount is below market value. This and the fact that no down payment is required, makes Habitat homes affordable for people who earn their living and manage their assets, but otherwise would not be able to become homeowners.

Mercedes Andrews and Children (from left to right): Victory, 13, Shawon, 17, Zachariah, 5, Andre, 15

Mercedes Andrews was born in Jacksonville and raised in the small town of Seville, Florida. She attended Taylor High School and moved to the Orlando area in 1990. She has been working as a nurse's aide and her hope and dream is to attend school and become a nurse as she continues to raise her children for success.