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Our Impact

A house is so much more than just a physical structure. Better, affordable living conditions lead to improved health, stronger childhood development, and the ability – and financial flexibility – to make forward-looking choices.

Every day, families partner with Habitat Catawba Valley to build strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. Our 2021-2022 Impact Report showcases our plan to build more, do more, and serve more throughout our community.

2022-2023 Impact Report

Unstable housing can:

Lead to overcrowded and substandard living conditions

Cause health problems such as asthma and depression

Hinder a child’s performance in school

Leave little to no money in savings for a family’s future

WHY HOME OWNERSHIP?

Buying a home changes more than just an address

Habitat opens doors of access and opportunity so that families have a foundation upon which they can build a safer and more secure future.

Studies show that homeownership leads to positive growth across the entire quality of life spectrum.

EDUCATION:

  • Children of homeowners have higher educational attainment.
  • Young children of homeowners see higher achievement in math and reading and exhibit fewer behavioral problems.
  • Teenaged children of homeowners are more likely to stay in school.

COMMUNITY LIFE:

  • Homeowners spend more time and money in maintaining their homes, contributing to the value and image of a community.
  • Homeowners are shown to be more involved in their communities, with a higher likelihood of volunteering.
  • Homeowners are more likely to be politically active.

Homeownership opens doors

Homeownership provides the freedom and financial flexibility necessary to allow families to make forward-looking decisions.

EQUITY:

Homeowners’ children have higher lifetime annual incomes.

HEALTH:

  • Families with affordable housing options are at a lower risk of lead poisoning and exposure to mold and other allergens, which can trigger asthma.

  • When a family pays a high proportion of its income toward housing, health suffers as less income goes toward health care expenses, healthy food, and active outlets.

  • Children without stable housing are more likely to use costly emergency services.

  • Homeowners report greater life satisfaction, self-esteem, perceived control over their lives, and physical health.

What we see

4 Major Trends Impacting the Future of Affordable Housing:

  • There are currently 0 counties in the US where someone making full-time minimum wage can afford the fair market value rent on 2 bedroom apartment. Currently, the minimum wage in NC is $7.25. However, workers need to earn at least $13.13 per hour in order to afford the average 2 bedroom rent of $683 in Catawba County.
  • The Hickory MSA saw a 447% increase in the 85+ population alone in the last 15 years. Women live longer than men but have lower residual incomes, making them twice as likely as men to live alone and struggle to afford their homes.
  • The Hickory MSA has the oldest housing stock in the state. We have the most number of homes built pre-1980 and the least built post-2000. This means that our housing isn’t growing in proportion to our population, and the housing that is available is in need of costly repair.
  • Catawba County currently has 3,500+ unfilled jobs. We know that recruiting and retaining talent is essential to our continued economic vibrancy, and available affordable housing is a vital part of that effort.

HOW WE SERVE

Housing needs are changing quickly in Catawba County; at Habitat Catawba Valley, we take an innovative, adaptive, and sustainable approach to transform the landscape of affordable housing in our community. We are making change for generations to home.

Building something better.

We invest in people. We empower people – hardworking people with limited incomes – to invest in themselves. Habitat homeowners purchase their homes through a nonprofit mortgage and receive financial counseling to ensure they are prepared for successful homeownership. Through a range of innovative, sustainable, solution-oriented programs, we make affordable homeownership a reality for more people.