Priorities

We live in difficult economic times.  It is having an impact on many of us.  Just today I went to fill up my gas tank and was surprised at how quickly the price increased.  I felt like a person was changing the cost of gas every hour.  When economic difficulties hit, those hit hardest are the ones barely hanging on...low income families trying to make ends meet.  For them, the decisions come down to paying their heating bill or feeding their family.  Putting gas in the car or scheduling their dental appointments.  When the funding that provides assistance runs dry, their challenges increase quickly and they often end up in difficult scenarios.  Today I was provided with the following new article about some of the funding that we rely on. 

Since when did having a place to live become discretionary?

The US House of Representatives has approved $62 billion in federal spending reductions for the rest of this fiscal year (through 9/30/2011) that undermines housing for seniors, children and people with disabilities:

·       10% from HOME funding

·       66% from CDBG funding

·       43% from Public Housing capital

·       70% from elderly housing

·       70% from 811 disabilities housing, meaning 10,000 people with significant, long-term disabilities would be displaced

·       Housing Counseling is ZEROED OUT

·       CSBG (Community Action Agencies) cut by 46%

The action now turns to the Senate when it returns on Monday 2/28. They need to act by Friday, March 4th when the Federal Government's current authority to spend and borrow expires.

I must admit that I know the challenges that states are facing across the country.  I know that we have significant debt in our federal government. 
Given these facts, it is even more critical for us to prioritize our work of providing simple, decent, affordable housing for families in need.  As we look to the next couple of months, we are completing three homes for low income families and we have a need to raise an additional $88,000 to complete our fourth home.  Would you consider going to our website today and making a donation to finish this home?  We are so grateful for your financial support and together we can make a difference.

 Blessings,

Billy Dunn

Executive Director

bdunn@habitatmontco.org 

Did you know that HFHMC has its very own Speakers' Bureau?  If you would like to help spread the word about the need for affordable housing in our community, have a Habitat representative speak to your church, civic group or workplace about Habitat and the work we do in Montgomery County!

To arrange a Speakers' Bureau opportunity, please contact Linley at linley@habitatmontco.org or (610) 278-7710 x116.

Jan Campbell-Westlind joins the Habitat team as the Director of Development.  He has spent eight years in the non-profit sector and more than twenty years in government service and, most recently, comes from a community development organization in Philadelphia where he held the position of Sr. Development Manager. Jan holds a B.Sc. from the University of Uppsala, Sweden and speaks English, Swedish and French. In 2009, he was appointed by the Swedish government as the new Honorary Consul of Sweden in Philadelphia.  Drop him a line at jcampbell@habitatmontco.org.

Kim is our new Associate Director of Development.  Previously, was a Sales Manager for the Philadelphia Marriott where she focused on business development, customer service, event planning, and community outreach.  She has also worked as a Market Manager with the American Diabetes Association in Los Angeles, CA.  Kim lives in Northern Liberties and is participating in her first (sprint) triathlon this spring and volunteers with the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society working on fundraising and development projects and finding homes for Philadelphia's homeless animals. Say hello at ktobin@habitatmontco.org.

10:00am - 12:00pm, Saturday March 12

Norristown Human Services Building

1430 DeKalb Street

Norristown, PA

If you or somebody you care about has always dreamed of owning your own home but thought it was impossible, please join HFHMC at their next homeownership orientation.  Attending this session is the first step to becoming a Habitat homeowner!

Learn about Habitat's homeownership program and our criteria of living or working in Montgomery County, need for housing, willingness to partner and ability to pay a no-interest, no-profit mortgage. See if you pre-qualify to become a partner family with Habitat.

This event is open to the public and no pre-registration is required, but for more information or if you have any questions, please contact Kerri at

kvincent@habitatmontco.org or (610) 278-7710 x109.

Norristown Farm Park
2500 Upper Farm Road
Norristown, PA

Registration: $20/person (includes t-shirt & snacks)

Children ages 12 & under are free 

Online registration is available at: http://www.firstgiving.com/habitatmontco

For more information or if you would like a PDF registration form, please contact Linley at linley@habitatmontco.org or (610) 278-7710 x116.