It began in 1991 and has built 24 homes and resold 2. We are currently building two more in Philomath.

1 full-time Executive Director, 1 part-time Office Manager, 1 part-time Construction Supervisor, 2 full-time and 2 part-time staff at the ReStore.

More than 30,000 hours every year. Of these hours, more than 17,000 hours are done at the ReStore. This allows us to open the ReStore from 9am to 5pm (Tues-Sat). The remaining hours are carried out at our construction sites, admin office and on other projects.

It has 12-18 unpaid members who can serve up to two 3 year terms.

We select families according to four criteria:

1. Our first criterion is a need for adequate, affordable shelter.  Inadequate housing may be due to structural, health, or safety issues in current housing, overcrowding in existing housing, or family cost burden where the family is spending more than 30% of their income on housing.

2. Our second criterion is based on the family financial status. The family must be able to afford the housing and have proper financial stability to maintain payments. We seek families within the 25% to 60% range of the HUD median income for Benton County (see table below).  

3. Our third criterion is that families provide verification of citizenship or permanent residency and have been residents of Benton County for at least one year.

4. Finally, we look for families who will make good partners.  We choose the families who are timely in the application process and accept the requirements for sweat equity and down payment.

We do not base selection on race, creed, gender, disability, ethnic background, sexual orientation, marital status, children, age or any other characteristic protected by law.

MONTHLY GROSS INCOME GUIDELINES FOR PARTNER FAMILIES
1-Person $1,048 - $2,516 5-People $1,616 - $3,878
2-People $1,198 - $2,875 6-People $1,736 - $4,166
3-People $1,348 - $3,234 7-People $1,855 - $4,453
4-People $1,496 - $3,591 8-People $1,975 - $4,741

Interested applicants fill out an online interest form or contact our admin office and are subsequently invited to an orientation session where they can receive their application form. After submitting their forms and other relevant paperwork, family selection committee members will verify the information and conduct reference checks. We will also request a credit report and a criminal background report.

The committee will shortlist applicants and visit their homes. Finally, the committee will submit a recommendation to the Board of Directors who will make the final decision.

No, we don’t. Habitat homes are sold to selected homeowners at no profit, with a zero interest loan from Habitat for a period of 20-30 years. Homeowners pay an affordable monthly mortgage payment, not exceeding 30% of the household income. Mortgage payments include escrow payments to cover insurance and taxes. A typical house in Benton County can cost between $110,000 and $150,000 in 2010. A down payment of at least $500 is required.

Families are usually able to move into their new homes within a year to two years from the date they applied. This depends on how quickly families can complete their sweat equity hours, make the down payment, and also how quickly the homes can be built.

Sweat Equity refers to the actual hands-on involvement of partner families in the construction of their own homes, other Habitat homes, educational workshops and other Habitat activities. Each family is required to do 500 hours of sweat equity. 200 hours have to be completed by the family itself in the construction of their home or other Habitat homes. The remainder can be done by family and friends or by the family on other tasks.

Yes. However, our requirements can be adjusted when working with single parents or families with physical or other limitations.

Yes, they can. Habitat has the first right of refusal (contract terms may vary) and the family has to offer the house to Habitat before they can sell it on the open market. During the first 5-7 years, the partner family will only get paid back the payments they have made on their first mortgage.

The appreciation is shared between Habitat and the partner family in the event of a sale. Initially, Habitat will receive a larger share of the appreciation if the house is sold. In the second part of the contract, more of the appreciation goes to the family. If the family stays in the home until their contract is paid off, they receive 100% of the appreciation.

To volunteer, complete our Online Registration & Orientation form. Our volunteer coordinators will get in touch with you within one week to discuss your application. For more information, you can contact our volunteer coordinator, Paul Martin Smith, at (541)-752-3354.

For safety and insurance reasons, all volunteers must be at least 16 years old.

It is the responsibility of the volunteer to arrange their own travel and food. It is not necessary to bring any tools, as they will be provided for. If you decide to bring your own tools, we recommend that you label them clearly as Habitat will not be responsible for any misplaced tools.

Homes are at all stages of the construction process.  We build houses from the foundation up.  Tasks on the construction site vary and you will be assigned to a task at the beginning of every work day.

Wear closed-toed shoes and clothes you don't mind getting dirty, painted, or ruined. Many volunteers wear sneakers, shorts or jeans, and an old t-shirt and sweatshirt. Bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to stay protected from the sun. Bring rain gear if needed as work will continue through light rain.

All skill levels are welcome. We assume no skills or prior construction experience, and the construction staff will provide plenty of instruction and supervision throughout the day.

Yes! We always welcome volunteers at our ReStore. We would also like volunteers for several committees:
• Fundraising and Development
• Family Support and Education
• Public relations and communication
• Technology
• Event organization
• Planning of our 20th anniversary celebration (2011)
• Lawyers to assist with contracts and ad-hoc questions
• Women’s Build Team Leader

A monetary donation can be made online, by mail or by phone. We also have a Wish List of goods you can donate to us. To donate those, or other in-kind products (materials, services, vehicles, stocks/property), print out our donation form and send it along with your donation to Benton Habitat for Humanity, PO Box 1551, Corvallis, OR 97339. All donors will receive an acknowledgment letter from us.

Yes, contributions of money and in-kind products to registered 501 (c)(3) organizations are tax deductible.