Habitat for Humanity will receive a $15.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to help build hundreds of homes across the country.
The grant is through HUD's Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP), which requires homeowners to participate in the construction of their homes. Habitat affiliates can apply for up to $15,000 per home to buy land or to install and improve infrastructure.
Habitat, which has its administrative offices in Atlanta, has been a recipient of Congress-appropriated SHOP grants since 1996, although this is the largest competitive SHOP grant the nonprofit has received through the program. Last year, Habitat was awarded $11 million in SHOP funds.
"We've been encouraging our affiliates to focus on individual communities that really need the help," said Jeff Pope, senior director of neighborhood revitalization. "There are a lot of them (communities) out there that are really hurting. This will give us a step up."
He said the nonprofit has three years to spend the money. He estimated that more than 800 homes could be built or rehabilitated for low-income families.
A spokesman for HUD said four regional and national nonprofits, including Habitat, were awarded $26.7 million in competitive grants through SHOP, which are considered "sweat equity" grants because of homeowner involvement. Prospective homebuyers must contribute a minimum of 100 hours of sweat equity on the construction of their homes or the homes of other homebuyers participating in the housing program
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