Building Houses, Building Hope

Flower City Habitat for Humanity works to revitalize inner city neighborhoods one house at a time, by building on some of the city's most desperate streets. We make home ownership a reality for low-income, working families who would not otherwise qualify for a home mortgage. We believe that home ownership is one of the keys to strong families and to communities that are safe and stable.

Through your support, the dream of home ownership comes true for deserving, hard-working low-income families. Click here for their story.

In cooperation with the City of Rochester, FCHH acquires vacant lots in neighborhoods challenged by crime, absentee landlords, abandoned properties and substandard housing. The projects described under the heading "On the Drawing Board" demonstrate the kind of preparatory work and fundraising that precede actual construction.

FCHH builds 7-9 houses each year. Our building capacity depends solely on house sponsorships -- we receive no government funding. We rely on contributions from congregations, corporations, individuals and foundations.

We build year round, planning our construction program a year or more in advance. It takes a little under four months to construct a home, working Tuesday through Saturday, from 9 AM to 4 PM. We typically build three to four houses simultaneously. The projects detailed under the heading "Under Construction" show the diligent efforts of our volunteer crews, working alongside our professional construction supervisors and partner families.

Homeowners are selected based on their income, need for decent, affordable housing, their willingness to contribute 450 hours of "sweat equity" (volunteer work on construction) and their ability to repay a 20-year, zero- interest mortgage.

After a project is completed and new families are settled, their connection with Habitat for Humanity continues. FCHH provides support for all families, whether they need help with budgeting, employment, parenting or referrals to critical social services that can help assure that as new homeowners they are successful in all aspects of their lives.