Survey: Habitat homeowners show increase in self-esteem, community pride

Habitat for Humanity homeowners show increases in self-esteem, well-being and neighborhood pride, according to a recent survey conducted by the Center for Applied Research at the University of Southern Indiana.

The survey reflects responses  from more than 320 Habitat homeowners, mostly women,  in 44 U.S. cities  who bought their homes within the last five years. It also showed that 53 percent felt their new homes helped improve job opportunities and 71 percent said after home ownership they focused more on being "green."

Habitat's Women Build program and Whirlpool co-sponsored the survey