Habitat for Humanity is celebrating this award in conjunction with an international milestone that was observed Dec. 4, 2009, in Minneapolis, Minn., when the 2,000th Thrivent Builds home (worldwide) was dedicated. Construction also began on the 2,001st home, kicking off the start of the 2010 partnership between the two entities. 

"The Thrivent Builds alliance is helping Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County increase the number of families served in our community," said Joyce McCullough, executive director. "We are so grateful for Thrivent's support of our efforts to provide decent, affordable homes in partnership with families in need."

An independent affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County (HFHSSBC)is dedicated to building simple, low-cost homes in partnership with low-income families in need of decent and affordable housing.

Since their incorporation in 2000, HFHSSBC has completed their own home building projects in addition to collaborations with other non-profits on rehabilitation projects for homeless shelters, senior housing and day care centers, and renovated homes of residents who were too infirm to make needed upgrades.

In March of 2009 they announced the Building Homes - Building Dreams Campaign for Habitat which includes goals to raise the funds to:

The total campaign goal to meet these needs is $3.5 million, and despite the challenges that have come with the current economic climate, and thanks to support from the local community and foundations, they have raised 65% of their goal!

Habitat is able to build homes cost effectively through their unique model of combining donations of money, labor and materials, national partnerships, community support, and sweat equity.  They serve low to very-low income families who earn between 40-60% of the median family income as defined by HUD.  Partner families are chosen from a pool of candidates that meet strict eligibility requirements and contribute at least 250 hours of sweat equity per adult towards the building of their new home.

Partner families then purchase the homes from Habitat through interest-free loans designed to fit within 35% of the homeowner's annual income. Affordability covenants recorded with the property will retain them in Santa Barbara's affordable housing inventory for a minimum of 45 years. Their mortgage payments go into a revolving Fund for Humanity to help fund the construction of more houses in our community. Through this approach, Habitat makes no profit and gives partner families a hand up not a hand out, restoring the hope and dignity that poverty can strip away.

Habitat for Humanity of SSBC is a builder of affordable, owner-occupied housing for low-income families in Southern Santa Barbara County. Our services consist of three main elements: 1) The cost effective building of homes for low income families; 2) the Habitat ReStore- a resource for recycling building materials in the community; and 3) a family partnership curriculum which provides the guidance and skills necessary for selected families to become successful long-term homeowners.  The local affilate was established in 2000 and completed its first major home building project in 2007, three homes on Via Lucero. The next home building project will be four homes on San Pascual Street which will be partially funded by the Housing Trust Fund of Santa Barbara County and the City of Santa Barbara. For more information or to volunteer, visit our website at www.sbhabitat.org

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Special thanks to those who helped us get through the permit process!
Thank you to the Planning Department and the Architectural Board of Review who reviewed and approved the design. Special thanks to Suzanne Elledge Planning & Permitting Services for their help in preparing our application. Habitat's wonderful design team included our architect, Peikert Group Associates, our civil engineer, Mike Gones, our structural engineering firm, Ashley & Vance, and several other consultants including Coast Valley Soil Testing, Ken Fargen Surveys, Gary Mosel, Steve Hanson Landscaping, and David Black Landscape Architect among others.  We were happy to work with many helpful city staff including Simon Kiefer with the Housing and Community Development department, Dan Gullett, City Planner, David Miles from Building and Safety and Victoria Johnson from Public Works to obtain the construction permits which now allow us to begin site preparation and construction of four new homes under the supervision of our General Contractor Phil Archenbronn. And finally, thank you to the entire Habitat for Humanity of SSBC staff and board of directors for their help and encouragement throughout this entire process. And of course, we want to thank YOU, our special friends and donors. Without you, none of this would be possible!