Organization FAQs
Habitat for Humanity is a global nonprofit housing organization working in nearly 1,400 communities across the United States and in approximately 70 countries around the world. Habitat’s vision is of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Habitat works toward our vision by building strength, stability and self-reliance in partnership with people and families in need of a decent and affordable home.
People in your community and all over the world partner with Habitat to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage.
Families in need of decent, affordable housing apply for homeownership with their local Habitat for Humanity.
Each local Habitat’s family selection committee selects homeowners based on three criteria:
- The applicant’s level of need.
- Their willingness to partner with Habitat.
- Their ability to repay a mortgage through an affordable payment plan.
As part of their willingness to partner, Habitat’s homebuyers invest hundreds of hours of their own labor, called sweat equity, working alongside volunteers and other Habitat homeowners.
Habitat for Humanity follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing Habitat’s homeowners.
Visit our Get Help page to learn more.
No. Habitat for Humanity structures home mortgages in the U.S. to help protect local housing markets. We do this by engaging a third-party, independent appraisal to evaluate and establish the fair market value of a home, which becomes the sales price. Any gap between the mortgage amount that is affordable for the homebuyer and the full fair market value of the housing unit is filled by various “soft” mortgages that may be forgiven over time.
Beaches Habitat for Humanity is a local Habitat for Humanity organization, or affiliate, serving the Jacksonville Beaches community.
Habitat for Humanity affiliates act in partnership with and on behalf of Habitat for Humanity International.
Each Habitat affiliate coordinates all aspects of Habitat home building in its local area.
There are many ways to volunteer.
- Build a home;
- Build relationships with your co-workers, congregation or friends through a group build day on our construction site;
- Volunteer long term through internship and AmeriCorps Service;
- and more...
Beaches Habitat, like all local Habitat organizations, depends on financial donations to fund our work. These donations help families build a place they can call home. Visit our Give Now page to learn more about how you can invest in the mission and vision of Beaches Habitat.
Many local Habitats have home improvement stores called Habitat ReStores, which sell reusable and surplus building materials, furniture and appliances to the public. Beaches Habitat does not have a Restore and is unable to accept most donations of material and building supplies, but we encourage you to find a local Habitat ReStore.
Habitat for Humanity International asks legislators and housing regulators to increase support for affordable homeownership and decent housing.
Habitat monitors public policies related to housing, community and international development.
Habitat advocates for policies that will increase access to decent, affordable housing available to people around the world.
Habitat accepts government funds as long as they have no conditions that would violate our principles or limit our ability to proclaim our Christian identity.
Yes, we are a global nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. All who desire to be a part of this work are welcome, regardless of religious preference or background. We have a policy of building with people in need regardless of race or religion. We welcome volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds.
New Home Program FAQs
Beaches Habitat homeowners are people who need some help to stand on their own.
Typically, they work in service industries, such as grocery stores, restaurants, and childcare facilities; doing domestic work; and as Certified Medical or Certified Nursing Assistants. These are not high paying jobs. Some are on permanent disability with minimal income.
When they apply, most of our homeowners are paying too much of their income for rent, are living in housing that is overcrowded or deplorable.
Buying a Beaches Habitat home at an affordable price means that they can be in a better position to pay for life's necessities, like groceries, health care, and a reliable vehicle, instead of spending so much of their money on housing.
During enrollment periods, people in our service area can complete an application for homeownership.
Applications are reviewed by Beaches Habitat staff and a volunteer Family Selection committee.
To qualify for an affordable home, each applicant is required to meet three basic selection criteria: a need for adequate housing, the ability to repay an affordable mortgage, and the willingness to Partner with Beaches Habitat.
We follow a non-discriminatory selection process, governed by federal, state, and local law.
Habitat homes are built and sold at no profit, with an affordable mortgage. The sale price is determined by an independent appraisal of fair market value. Monthly payments are determined by the homebuyer’s income and do not exceed 30% of their monthly income.
Yes, property taxes for Habitat homes are assessed at the same millage rate of any other home in Duval County.
Beaches Habitat mortgages are outsourced to a third-party for full mortgage servicing. If a homeowner falls behind on their payments, the third-party service contacts the homeowner directly.
The third-party service also notifies Beaches Habitat staff, who personally follows up with the homeowner to help them find a solution to get their mortgage current.
Beaches Habitat's ultimate goal is to prevent foreclosure and keep residents in their homes. Because of the strong relationship with homeowners, the foreclosure rate is minimal.
Yes, a Beaches Habitat home can be sold. However, Beaches Habitat has “First Right of Refusal” to purchase the home at fair market value.
Beaches Habitat homeowners commit to owning their homes for at least 5 years. Since “flipping” usually means that someone buys a property and resells it quickly, a Beaches Habitat homeowner CANNOT flip their house.
After 5 years, we follow a policy of "shared appreciation."
That means, if the homeowner sells their home for more than they bought it, the difference is shared by the homeowner and Beaches Habitat. The amount that the homeowner keeps increases (and Beaches Habitat’s portion decreases) the longer they own their home.
Potential Homebuyer FAQs
Families in need of decent, affordable housing apply for homeownership with their local Habitat for Humanity.
At Beaches Habitat, our family selection committee considers the following criteria:
- The applicant’s residency,
- their need for housing,
- their willingness to partner with Beaches Habitat, and
- their ability to repay a mortgage through an affordable payment plan.
As part of their willingness to partner, Beaches Habitat’s homebuyers invest hundreds of hours of their own labor, called sweat equity, working alongside volunteers and other Beaches Habitat homeowners.
Habitat for Humanity follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection. When choosing Habitat's homeowners, we seek qualified candidates in a manner that does not unlawfully discriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, gender or gender expression, marital status, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, veteran/reserve/national guard status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.
The labor of volunteers and future homeowners, efficient building methods, modest house sizes, and no-profit loans make it affordable for low-income families to purchase Habitat houses.
Financial and in-kind contributions from community- and faith-based organizations, corporations, and individuals, as well as grants from the government and private sector, are also important to make building affordable homes sustainable.
When homes become available, a form ("pre-questionnaire") will be available to express interest in homeownership. Those who complete the pre-questionnaire will be entered into a lottery for applications.
Please visit our Homeownership page for more information on the process.
To be eligible, applicants must have a credit score of 640 or higher.
Applications require a hard pull of your credit report. Credit history and monthly debt obligations will be reviewed.
“Sweat equity” is Habitat’s term for the volunteer labor that homeowners contribute to building their homes and the homes of their neighbors, as well as the time they spend in financial and homeowner education courses. Future homeowners are required to complete sweat equity as part of their qualification for our program.
Sweat equity can be fulfilled through a combination of class participation, construction activities, and other pre-approved volunteer opportunities. Individuals with a documented medical need may have access to alternative options for sweat equity hours through a partner organization.
Sweat equity requirements are as follows:
- Single mortgage holder - 300 hours
- Double mortgage holder - 200 hours each
- Household members, age 18 and older - 100 hours each
| Beaches Habitat Standards / SHIP Median Income Limits | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $34,100 | $54,500 |
| 2 | $38,900 | $62,300 |
| 3 | $43,800 | $70,100 |
| 4 | $48,650 | $77,850 |
| 5 | $52,550 | $84,100 |
| 6 | $56,450 | $90,350 |
| 7 | $60,350 | $96,550 |
| 8 | $64,250 | $102,800 |
| Income limits issued by US Dept of Housing and Urban Development Effective April 1, 2024 for federal funding sources. | ||
A homeowner's monthly payment will include the mortgage payment, homeowner's association dues, homeowner's insurance, and property taxes. The mortgage terms will be adjusted so that the total payment does not exceed 30% of a household's gross monthly income.
No. Part of the willingness to partner criteria includes accepting the home that is assigned to you by Beaches Habitat for Humanity.
Home Construction FAQs
Our typical design is a 2-story duplex with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. They are roughly 1150 sq. ft.
Beaches Habitat has built a range of styles and sizes over the years, including 1-story single-family homes and 2-story townhomes. The differences usually depend on lot sizes, infrastructure costs, and family needs.
Construction on a 2-story duplex typically takes 6 months.
There is usually additional time at the beginning of construction for permitting and infrastructure work and additional time at the end of construction for inspections and mortgage paperwork.
The money for building comes from two main sources: donations and mortgage payments.
Businesses, faith communities, organizations and individuals make financial and in-kind contributions to help Beaches Habitat pay for the materials and equipment, permits and fees, and other costs associated with building a home. Volunteers, together with future Habitat homeowners, help us to stretch financial contributions further by giving their time to build homes.
In addition, the monthly mortgage payments from completed Habitat homes become part of the “Fund for Humanity,” helping to build future Habitat homes.
Beaches Habitat is in the market to buy real estate, just like a conventional home builder. However, unlike a conventional home builder, we can often offer tax incentives to sellers who are willing to work with us!
If you have land in the beaches area that you're interested in selling? Learn more on our Other Ways to Give page or contact us - info@beacheshabitat.org or (904) 241-1222.
Beaches Habitat purchases building materials at the most affordable price possible.
We are blessed to have partnerships, nationally and locally, with companies who donate or discount products and services to help us better use our financial resources.
Some of those partnerships include:
- Valspar
- DOW
- Whirlpool
Unfortunately, we cannot accept most donations of appliances, furniture, and building supplies.
We can sometimes accept donations of raw materials, like lumber or plywood, tools, or supplies, like paintbrushes.
To get a better idea of the kinds of donations we can accept, visit our Other Ways to Give page. Please always call or email before bringing a donation to make sure we can accept it - (904) 241-1222 or construction@beacheshabitat.org.
Your furniture and supplies may be a good donation for a Habitat ReStore. Find your local Restore at https://www.habitat.org/restores/.
Construction Volunteer FAQs
Our service area includes Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach and Eastern Jacksonville. Most of our work is in the Mayport area of Atlantic Beach.
Construction sites can change often - if you don't see an address when you register on the volunteer calendar, please contact our Volunteer Services Department at (904) 241-1222 option 1 or volunteer@beacheshabitat.org for more information.
Volunteer opportunities are typically available Tuesday through Friday from 8 am to 12 pm and Saturday from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. To see available dates and times, please register with our volunteer calendar.
For safety, we have a maximum number of volunteers who can be on the site each day. We want to be sure we have enough supplies and work for you to do, so please sign up!
You can use our volunteer calendar or contact our Volunteer Services Department by calling (904) 241-1222 and selecting option 1 or sending an email to volunteer@beacheshabitat.org.
No, you don't have to attend an orientation before volunteering. At the beginning of each day, our construction team will orient you to the construction site, so it's is important that you arrive on time!
After you have created an account, you can sign up for specific dates and times on the calendar.
If you can't find what you need or have any trouble signing up for an event, please contact Volunteer Services by calling (904) 241-1222 and selecting option 1 or emailing volunteer@beacheshabitat.org.
If you need your hours verified for court or other legal reasons, please visit our Community Service Volunteers page to check if you are eligible to complete mandated hours with Beaches Habitat.
If you need your hours verified for school, work, or military service, and have a form to be completed, please bring it with you when you volunteer. At the end of your shift, one of our construction staff or AmeriCorps members will sign it for you.
If you need a letter and you'll be volunteering for 4 hours or fewer, you can request a letter by emailing volunteer@beacheshabitat.org after you've completed your hours.
If you need a letter and you'll be volunteering for more than 4 hours, please download a copy of our Documentation of Hours form. When you've completed your hours, submit the form by email to volunteer@beacheshabitat.org, by fax to (904) 241-4310, or in person at the office. Please allow 1 to 2 business days for the completion of your letter.
Maybe. Before signing up to volunteer, please read our policy for Community Service Volunteers. You must be approved for service prior to scheduling hours.
Decisions to cancel are typically made on the day of a volunteer opportunity. All registered volunteers will be notified by text and/or email if there is a change to the schedule.
If the weather is bad and you haven't heard from anyone, give us a call! You can reach the Volunteer Services Department at (904) 241-1222, option 1.
Beaches Habitat has all the tools and equipment that you’ll need on site, but you are welcome to bring your own tools. Items that we recommend are: work gloves, hammer, utility knife, tape measure, etc.
Please be sure that all of your personal items are labeled with your name.
Please do not bring pneumatic or power driven tools (like circular saws, nail guns, etc.).
Beaches Habitat is not responsible for lost or damaged personal items.
Beaches Habitat provides water coolers on-site and snacks. Be sure to bring a water bottle with a removable mouthpiece if you plan to refill your water bottle from our coolers. Paper cups will also be available.
Women Build FAQs
No. Each day on the construction site, our staff and crew leaders will train volunteers on the skills needed for that day. We do provide orientation and training from time to time with an overview of many of the skills that Women Builders will use over the course of home construction. If you’re interested in participating in future training, add your name to our Women Build Email List to receive notifications of upcoming events.
No, you don’t have to volunteer for the entire build. Volunteers can help out in whatever capacity is convenient for your schedule. Whether that is one day, once a week or once a month, your help is welcome! We just ask that you use the calendar to sign up for each day that you want to help.
We set a maximum number of volunteers for each day to ensure that we have enough tools, tasks, and supervisors to have a safe and productive day on the construction site. When we reach the maximum capacity for each day, you can add your name to the waiting list. If another volunteer cancels or opportunities become available, volunteers on the waiting list will become active, and you’ll receive an email notification. Feel free to email volunteer@beacheshabitat.org or call (904) 241-1222, option 1 if you have any questions about the schedule.
Construction experience is NOT necessary! Volunteers are guided by our knowledgable construction staff, AmeriCorps members and volunteer crew leaders, working alongside other volunteers and future homeowners. Whether you are learning new skills or just looking for something new and exciting, this is a rewarding experience for all involved.
Our goal is to be as inclusive as possible! For safety reasons, and because of labor laws/OSHA, we require volunteers to be at least 16 years old (parental consent is required for 16 and 17 year olds). Other than that, if you are willing to learn and be part of our team, you are welcome.
For our full list of construction site recommendations and requirements, visit our Build page.
Sometimes women are intimidated by the idea of construction or are worried that they may be the only woman on site or any number of other things that may keep a woman from volunteering with Habitat. Women Build removes some of the barriers to make volunteer construction more comfortable for those who may be hesitant to join a "traditional" build.
Also, women are pretty amazing! Women Build is fun, empowering and a great way to be active and meet new people!
Yes, men are welcome. In fact, the future homeowner or part of the leadership team may be men. Women Build provides a place for women to learn the skills needed to build a home, but that does not exclude men from participating.
Families in need of decent, affordable housing apply for homeownership with their local Habitat for Humanity.
Each local Habitat’s family selection committee selects homeowners based on three criteria:
- The applicant’s level of need.
- Their willingness to partner with Habitat.
- Their ability to repay a mortgage through an affordable payment plan.
As part of their willingness to partner, Habitat’s homebuyers invest hundreds of hours of their own labor, called sweat equity, working alongside volunteers and other Habitat homeowners.
Habitat for Humanity follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing Habitat’s homeowners.
Visit our Get Help page to learn more.
AmeriCorps Service FAQs
AmeriCorps is a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). In 1993, the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) was established to connect Americans of all ages and backgrounds with opportunities to give back to their communities and their nation. It merged the work and staffs of two predecessor agencies, ACTION and the Commission on National and Community Service. (americorps.gov) The first AmeriCorps members began their service in 1994.
There are three programs under the umbrella of AmeriCorps:
Beaches Habitat's members serve through the National or VISTA programs.
| State and National | VISTA | |
|---|---|---|
| Service Type | Direct Service: lead skilled and unskilled volunteers and future homeowners, build and repair homes, recruit and retain volunteers. | Indirect Service: research solutions, implement programs, create manuals and training resources. |
| Goals | Help build capacity: support more volunteers, build more homes. | Help build programs and resources; create long-term sustainable benefits. |
| Age Requirement | 17 and older | ages 18 to 24 |
| Term of Service | 10.5 months and 1700 hours of service | 1 year of full-time service |
No, construction experience is not required for any of our AmeriCorps positions. At Beaches Habitat, we look first at your commitment to service and enthusiasm for our mission.
It's great if you do have construction experience, especially with Beaches Habitat or another Habitat affiliate. However, we consider all of your qualifications when making our candidate selections.
- Modest living allowance;
- Rent-free housing in a Beaches Habitat property shared by members while in service; housing benefit includes:
- utilities (water, electricity, sewer);
- basic furniture and cooking supplies;
- smart TV;
- shared washer and dryer;
- Toolbelt and basic hand tools for construction members;
- Health plan benefits - an ACA compliant health plan for National members, health care options for VISTA members;
- Worker's compensation;
- Training specific to service activities;
- Childcare benefits, if you qualify;
- Possible forbearance of your qualified student loan, including accrued interest payments after the successful completion of the term of service;
- Eli Segal Education Award upon successful completion of the service term with a lifetime maximum of two awards;
- Inclusion in a Member Assistance Program that offers counseling and financial planning resources.
Beaches Habitat owns four modest 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom apartments in the vicinity of our administrative office. The apartments have basic furniture, including kitchen equipment, and access to a washer and dryer. Beaches Habitat covers the cost of rent, water, and electricity. Members are responsible for maintaining the interior and exterior of the apartments, including lawn care.
Apartments are limited to use by Beaches Habitat AmeriCorps members only, during their term of service. Due to space limitations, we cannot accommodate spouses, children, and/or other family members nor can we provide housing assistance if you do not use Beaches Habitat's housing.
AmeriCorps members observe the same holidays as Beaches Habitat staff. Members also have leave time for vacation and/or illness.
AmeriCorps members receive their living allowance bi-weekly. Please be advised that, when starting service, processing can delay the first living allowance check up to a month. Members should plan for the delay when considering the financial implications of AmeriCorps service.
There is a mutual selection process for AmeriCorps members. Candidates apply by submitting their resumes through Habitat for Humanity's application portal. Beaches Habitat staff will review applications and contact qualified candidates for further information. The selection process typically includes two interviews: one by telephone and one by video chat. Qualified candidates may then be conditionally offered a position by a Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps Program Specialist and have the opportunity to accept or decline.
All offers for AmeriCorps service are dependent on members passing a background screening and completing the application for AmeriCorps service through the My AmeriCorps portal, including references.
Pending confirmation of funding, Beaches Habitat AmeriCorps members typically begin service in the fall. Specific start dates will be discussed during the application process.
Yes, a car is required for AmeriCorps members. Members will be required to travel between construction sites and other locations during service, often carrying supplies and equipment.
AmeriCorps members are eligible for reimbursement of approved service-related expenses, including mileage, according to Beaches Habitat's policy.
Beaches Habitat's offices and AmeriCorps housing are located in Atlantic Beach, FL. We are a coastal town, so the biggest attraction is the beach! Our apartments are within a few miles of several beach accesses. The area also has many parks, including those with hiking trails, kayak launches, and other amenities. We're close to the cities of Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and several other beach towns. The greater Jacksonville area has many museums, cultural attractions, and great restaurants, and it's home to the Jacksonville Jaguars as well as several minor league sports teams.
Here are links to several sites with more local information:
Donation FAQs
Yes, Beaches Habitat needs donations to advance our work.
One time donations are always needed and appreciated.
There are a variety of ways to consider taking your donation to the next level, from planned giving to stock and bond gifts, car donations to in-kind donations.
We do not receive funding from Habitat for Humanity International, so your local support is essential!
Most of your donation will fund program costs. Your contribution also helps to pay for necessities, like staff salaries and the utilities at our office. Visit our Financials page for more information.
If you would like a donation to be used in a particular way, we are happy to work with you. Please contact our Development Director for more information - (904) 595-5794 or donate@beacheshabitat.org.
Beaches Habitat is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and your gift may qualify as a charitable deduction for federal income tax purposes. Consult your financial adviser or review IRS Publication 526, Charitable Contributions, for more information.
Employer Matching Gift FAQs
Every employer is different. Prior to making your gift, check with your human resources department for their policy on matching charitable contributions. Many companies have simple forms that you can complete to request a matching gift.
Once you've made your donation, follow your employer's instructions for submitting a request to match your gift. Your employer will contact us to verify your gift and then complete the match according to their policy.
Here are some commonly request items:
- Employer Identification Number: 65-0234544
- Organization Mailing Address: 797 Mayport Road, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
- Phone: 904-241-1222
- Fax: 904-241-4310
- Email address: donate@beacheshabitat.org
- Website: www.beacheshabitat.org
- Organization type: Civic, Health and Human Services, Shelter
Anywhere from one month to one year. Please inquire with your company about their payout dates and matching gift deadlines.
- 1:1 means your employer will match your donations dollar for dollar.
- 2:1 means they will contribute two dollars for every dollar donated.
- .50:1 means they will contribute 50 cents for every dollar donated, and so forth.
Absolutely. If your company does not currently match employee donations to Habitat, ask it to do so. Together, you and your employer can help build more homes for people in need.
Contact us at 904-241-1222 or donate@beacheshabitat.org.
Car Donation FAQs
You can donate your car in 3 easy steps:
- Start your donation online by navigating to our donation wizard, or call our hotline: 1-877-277-4344
- Our team will ask about your vehicle, including the make, model, vehicle identification number (VIN) and current mileage.
- When your vehicle is accepted, schedule a day and time for us to pick it up.
- The State for Florida will require a Certificate of Title in order to donate your car.
- To complete your car donation, transfer your title by entering the name of the agency that processes our car donations, ADVANCED REMARKETING SERVICES in the buyer/purchaser field. Then, PRINT and SIGN your name in the seller/owner field EXACTLY as it appears at the top of the title.
We accept almost all vehicles, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, boats, snowmobiles, farm equipment and construction equipment. If you want to donate your car or truck, please go to our donation wizard. If you want to donate any other type of vehicle, please call us at 1-877-277-4344.
Our partners at Advanced Remarketing Services return a higher percentage than any other vehicle processing entity. On a monthly basis, more than between 78% and 82% of the gross revenue generated from vehicle sales comes to Habitat for Humanity.
Your vehicle will be sold on behalf of Habitat through a national network of auctions and direct buyers.
After the vehicle has been sold, you will receive an acknowledgment letter providing your vehicle sale information.
All the auctions and direct buyers used by Habitat are licensed, insured and bonded in the states where they operate. By signing the title directly to Advanced Remarketing Services, you are legally transferring ownership of your vehicle to Habitat for Humanity.
When your title is received and your vehicle is picked up, you are no longer responsible for the vehicle.
Find out more about car donation tax deductions.
About half of our cars are sold to licensed dealers at wholesale auctions and are reused for transportation. The other half are typically transported to auto salvage yards where all reusable car parts, batteries, tires and fluids are removed. Vehicles that can be recycled are crushed, shredded and recycled into steel.
Recycling cars keeps a huge amount of steel out of landfills – enough to build nearly 45,000 steel-framed homes every year. The energy saved each year is enough to power approximately 18 million homes!
Habitat receives funds for each donated vehicle, although a car sold at auction generally generates more revenue than one that is recycled. Every donation makes a difference and the families that partner with us are extremely grateful for your help.
Advanced Remarketing Services is our authorized agent and attorney-in-fact for the purpose of selling vehicles and transferring titles. They handle the title transfer, towing and reporting of all vehicle donations.
Vehicle donations may be made online through the donation wizard or by calling 1-877-277-4344.
We are happy to answer any other questions you may have. Please email your questions to carsforhomes@habitat.org or call 1-877-277-4344.