Sweat equity is a vital element for Habitat for Humanity and helps to provide many skills and experiences for new homebuyers. All families selected to become homebuyers must provide “Sweat Equity”. It’s a way for families to put their effort into building the house they will own.
Community Partnership
Sweat equity provides the opportunity for meaningful interactions between the homebuyer family and other Habitat volunteers.
Pride in Ownership
Investing in sweat equity hours in building their home helps families in the construction phase to begin their transition to homeownership.
Development of skills and knowledge
By actively participating in the building of their home, homeowners will gain an intimate understanding of their home that will help them to maintain their house after occupancy.
Families need to commit to working regularly on the construction site during the building of the house they will purchase or another Habitat house.
The commitment is approximately 8-10 hours per week throughout the course of the build, to total at least 200 hours. Family partners (new homebuyers) do not have to have previous experience. They will learn new skills under the guidance of skilled volunteers and can be assigned jobs that match their interests and skill levels. Friends and family can help contribute hours towards the homebuyer’s required hours.
Non-building, activities may count toward sweat equity hours.
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- Prepare meals or snacks for workers during the build
- Clean up around the site, organize materials
- Pick up materials and unload at the site
- Taking online new homebuyer classes or classes in budgeting or home repair
- Attend school toward developing new job skills
- Painting, landscaping or shoveling/cleaning up around the site and sidewalks
- Providing childcare for volunteers
- Volunteering at other local non-profit organizations
Habitat volunteers will help develop a plan with you to get your hours and to document them.
