How to prepare for the Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County Homeownership Program

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Christine Erick
Family Services Director

Preparing for a significant life event like purchasing a home involves engaging in a series of well-thought-out steps. You should take time when applying for a mortgage, which is exactly what you are doing when you complete the application for the Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County (HFHCC) Homeownership Program. Buying a home is a significant event – and expense – that requires careful preparation.

The first step is to visit our website at habitatcc.org and use our income calculator to ensure that you meet the income requirements based on family size. These income limits are also on our website for your review.

Christine Erick

Christine Erick

Take our self-assessment tool under our “Programs” tab along with reviewing our Homeownership Orientation. This will take you into a deep dive of the program to see if this is a good fit for you.

Obtain a copy of your credit report, which is available to you for free once per year, by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com. Your credit report is a complete accounting of your credit history including credit accounts, payment history and credit account status. This is a good time to review your credit report for any inaccuracies. If you find any, it is essential to address them ASAP as they can hurt your credit score.

Habitat does not have a minimum credit requirement. However, if you do not have any credit at all, you will be required to show non-traditional credit through a 12-month on-time payment history for car insurance, rental payments, telephone bills, etc.

We will look at your debt-to-income ratio to ensure you can comfortably make your mortgage payment. Habitat will not allow for a mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) over 30% of your monthly gross income. Additionally, we will not allow for a mortgage payment coupled with your monthly recurring payments (credit cards, car loans, installment loans, etc.) to exceed 43% of your monthly income. Paying off credit card debt or installment loans will help you achieve a lower debt to-income ratio.

Be sure that you are making all your payments on time. Late payments lower your credit score, but it also paints the picture that you will not make your mortgage payment on time. Your mortgage payments go toward building the next home for another family.
Have money in savings. If you are currently not paying rent though proof of a rental agreement and/or receipt of payments, you will need to show some savings to demonstrate your ability to pay a mortgage payment.

Have a plan to complete the sweat equity requirements. Habitat for Humanity requires a minimum of 350 sweat equity hours to complete the program. Partner families are required to complete 20 hours per month until the closing of your home. This will require commitment and sacrifice.

If you are accepted into the program, you will be required to maintain your eligibility. We know how tempting it is to want to purchase furniture or that dining room table that you found for a great deal at the local furniture store, but acquiring new debt can increase your debt-to-income ratios and disqualify you from the program.

Believe it or not, getting a new job can affect your eligibility. Our first-time home buyer program is based on the number of individuals in the household and total monthly income. This is required for down payment assistance that is essential to making these mortgage payments affordable. The change in your income can affect your debt-to-income ratios, which in return affects eligibility.

The bottom line: knowing what to do and what not to do before applying for a mortgage is critical. To learn more about our program, you can register for our in-person orientation, which will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the YMCA, located at 4127 W. Norvell Bryant Hwy., Lecanto. This is your golden ticket to scoop up all the details about what it takes to join our awesome program! Register online at https://tinyurl.com/yc3ds334.

If you cannot make the in-person orientation, visit our website under “Programs” and complete our self-assessment tool to see if you are ready to apply for our Homeownership Program or call our Family Selection Manager, Jess Ebert at 352-563-2744.

Christine Erick is the Family Services Director for Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County. Email her at [email protected].

 

Capital City Bank Group Foundation awards Habitat grant funding

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The Capital City Bank Group Foundation recently awarded Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County a $5,000 grant, believing HFHCC’s vision aligns with the goals of Capital City Bank’s

Hfhcc Capital Bank Grant

Bart Bennett, right, Vice President Business Banker for Capital City Bank Inverness, presents Christine Erick, left, Director of Family Services for HFHCC, with the $5,000 check from Capital City Bank Group Foundation.

Group Foundation.

“At Capital City Bank, we proudly support organizations that build strong communities by enhancing the quality of life where we live and do business,” said Brooke Hallock, Chief Brand Officer with Capital City Bank, noting since 1885 Capital City Bank has invested in “initiatives that contribute to building a strong community. Today, we are still striving to be a catalyst in engaging and supporting associate volunteerism and involvement.”

The grant funding provided by the Capital City Bank Group Foundation will be used toward its Vital Community Housing and Stability Initiatives, which includes homeowner education and financial literacy classes for successful homeownership after family partners complete the HFHCC Home Ownership program.

Additional classes available to them include mental health awareness, how to be a good neighbor, security and safety protocols.

“Homebuyer education is a very intricate part of our program and we couldn’t do it without community partners like Capital City Bank,” said Christine Erick, HFHCC’s Family Services Director.

Habitat for Humanity offers a “hand up,” not a “hand out” to income-qualified families who are unable to secure conventional financing but are willing to work hard to improve their family’s lives.

Key initiatives include empowering these partner families through education, resources and support to successfully achieve their personal, academic and professional goals; teaching the youth of future homeowner families the skills and attitudes needed to make positive life choices.

For more information about HFHCC or its homeownership program, visit www.habitatcc.org.

Come ‘HabiBlast’ with Habitat

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Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County is hoping its newest fundraiser will be a “blast” for participants.

The nonprofit organization will host its inaugural Habitat HabiBlast, a clay target shoot fundraiser, at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at Tampa Bay Sporting Clays (TBSC), 10541 Ehren Cutoff, Land O’ Lakes. TBSC is the area’s premiere shooting range and is located on 260 acres of wooded terrain and provides a unique facility, its website states.

“We wanted to try something new and different that would appeal to the many avid sport shooters and outdoors people in and around the Citrus County area,” said Justin Leech, HFHCC Chief Operating Officer. “TBSC is a top-notch facility and we thought this would be the perfect event for people to come out, have an enjoyable time all while raising awareness for a great cause.”

Entry fees are $150 per person or $550 per team, up to four people. Entry fees include a T-Shirt, 50 targets per shooter, two boxes of shells (either 12-gauge or 20-gauge), one golf cart per team (individuals will be grouped into foursomes), lunch and drinks, silent auction and 50/50 drawing. To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/29bnsr5r. Individuals and teams can also register at either of Habitat’s two ReStores in Crystal River or Inverness. Youths, 17 and younger, are allowed to compete, but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams, top three individual males, top three individual females and top three youth shooters.

“This is really shaping up to be a great family-friendly event,” Leech said.

For those who might need it, TBSC offers gun rentals. The facility has .410-, 20-, and 12-gauge rentals. Only one gun is needed per group of approximately four people. The facility does not rent its guns in the rain. Unless you are shooting in an event, TBSC does not take gun reservations—all guns will be rented on a first-come, first-serve basis. You must be a legal US citizen to rent a shotgun at TBSC. You will be required to provide a valid license for a gun rental, and any license left at TBSC will be returned via mail to the address listed on the license.

West 2 West Construction is the premiere sponsor for HabiBlast, with A&J Gardner’s Concrete and Avant-garde Consulting serving as Silver Sponsors. Citrus Title, Michael’s Floor Covering and Southern Pride Design are also helping to sponsor the event. HFHCC is actively seeking additional sponsors as well as businesses that would be willing to donate gift baskets and prizes for the silent auction.

For information about the event, sponsorships or donating items for the silent auction, contact Jeff Bryan, Marketing & Communications Director, at 352-563-2744, Ext. 4, or email [email protected].

Habitat gears up for milestone moment

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By George Rusaw

For 30-plus years now, essential workforce employees providing much-needed day-to-day services to the community have turned to Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County seeking a safe, stable, affordable housing environment for their families.

By partnering with HFHCC, those families receive a hand up, not a handout. Our unique approach empowers families through homeownership, requiring them to invest “sweat equity” into building homes alongside volunteers.

As we look toward a new fiscal year here at HFHCC, we wanted to take a moment to take a look back at our most recent fiscal year, which included plenty of highlights:

  • Our Crystal River and Inverness ReStores generated more than $2 million in sales, which is made possible through the support of our citizens and businesses that both shop for goods as well as donate items for resale.
  • A record 21 new home builds, which have provided stability to families who are educators, paraprofessionals, skilled laborers, health care workers, retail employees and much more. This accomplishment would not be possible without the generous support of the citizens, who regularly shop at our two ReStores, and businesses such as Nick Nicholas Ford, Crystal Motor Company, Eagle Buick/GMC, Public Super Market Charities that sponsored home builds.
  • We celebrated 250 families served through our home ownership program.
  • We launched a new user-friendly website (habitatcc.org), which has several new features such as an online application process for prospective family partners and donation pickup requests.

All of our accomplishments this past fiscal year sets the stage for an ambitious, but achievable, new year ahead.

  • We plan to build 35 new homes this coming year, meaning 35 new families will achieve housing security. To accomplish this feat, we need families who meet our qualifications and share a willingness to partner with us. Visit habitatcc.org/programs for more information.
  • We need volunteers at both of our ReStores as well as our Construction Site. To register as a volunteer, visit habitatcc.org/get-involved/volunteer.
  • Continue shopping at both of our ReStores as well as donating gently used items and materials.
  • We will celebrate our 250th new home build this calendar year. But to celebrate this milestone achievement, we are requesting the community’s assistance. We are asking for residents, businesses and civic organizations to contribute $250 or more toward the completion of our 250th new home build. To contribute a monetary donation, mail a check to HFHCC, P.O. Box 1041, Crystal River, FL, 34423 or visit tinyurl.com/46urzj79.
  • We will host our inaugural Habitat HabiBlast, a clay target shoot, on Saturday, Nov. 9, at Tampa Bay Sporting Clays (TBSC). Entry fees are $150 per person or $550 per team, up to four people. Entry fees include a T-Shirt, 50 targets per shooter, two boxes of shells (either 12-gauge or 20-gauge), one golf cart per team (individuals will be grouped into foursomes), lunch and drinks, silent auction and 50/50 drawing. To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/29bnsr5r. Individuals and teams can also register at either of Habitat’s two ReStores in Crystal River or Inverness. Youths, 17 and younger, are allowed to compete, but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

By supporting Habitat, you’re not just giving; you’re investing in stronger, more resilient communities. Join us in building homes, neighborhoods, and hope for everyone.

George Rusaw is the CEO/President of Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County.

A  COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT EMPLOY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.”

Habitat seeks event sponsors for clay target shoot fundraiser

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With the affordable housing crisis plaguing not only the nation, but Citrus County, especially many of our residents who work in health care, childcare, educators, first responders and many other roles critical to Citrus County citizens and businesses, Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County is there to offer these hard working and responsible employees a hand up toward safe, stable housing and the American dream: home ownership.

Critical to our success to building affordable housing and the dire need for workforce housing to income-qualified families in Citrus County is the support of businesses and residents in our community.

That is why we are excited to announce plans for the inaugural Habitat HabiBlast clay target shooting tournament, which is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 9, at Tampa Bay Sporting Clays, one of the region’s premiere facilities for target shooting.

In addition to a fun-filled, friendly shooting competition, there will be awards for tournament winners, a barbecue lunch and silent auction prizes.

However, to host an event such as Habitat HabiBlast, we need your generous support as an event sponsor.

It is our hope that your business will join us for an event we are sure will be a blast! For information about sponsorship levels, contact Jeff Bryan, Marketing & Communications Director, at 352-563-2744 or email [email protected].

Every donation helps build a brighter future

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George Rusaw
CEO/President
George Rusaw

George Rusaw

Since it first began operating in 1993, Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County has built or rehabilitated more than 240 homes, thereby providing safe, affordable housing for more than 600 individuals and families in Citrus County.

Those individuals and families include health-care workers, skilled trades employees, educators and support staff, single parents, grandparents raising grandchildren, first responders and service industry employees to name a few.

There are many different facets that have gone into making Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County a success over the past 30 years:

  • Those who have a heart for helping others.
  • The thousands of volunteers, who have come through the doors over the years, to help lend their time and talents at our ReStores and the building of homes.
  • The partner families, who buy into the values of the program as they seek safe, affordable housing for their families.
  • The businesses, organizations and individuals who contribute housewarming gifts.
  • Our Contractor’s Club members.
  • Private donors.
  • The corporate businesses that sponsor house builds or help to finance our education classes for our future homeowners through community grants.
  • Our partnership with Citrus County Housing Services and the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee.
  • The Crystal River and Inverness ReStores who are our largest house sponsors.

The ReStores provide financial support to Habitat for Humanity. Our first ReStore opened in 2003, the second opened in 2010. By shopping, donating, or volunteering at the Restore, you help local families build better futures.

The ReStores offer excellent bargains and one-of-a-kind treasures to shoppers while supporting Habitat’s mission of bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope. By making a donation of household items, you’re helping keep usable goods out of landfills!

One critical aspect of our ReStores’ success has been community partnerships with the area’s homebuilders, remodeling companies, commercial contractors as well as suppliers in flooring, windows, cabinets and other various home remodeling materials.

We’re continuing to ask our partners in the construction industry – commercial and residential – and home improvement stores to consider donating unused materials or discontinued items to our Crystal River or Inverness ReStores.

If you have unused materials or discontinued items, we will come and pick those items up. All you need to do is call our Crystal River ReStore at 352-564-2300 and we will send a truck with a crew to save you time.

Thank you for your support over the past 30 years and for your continued support for the next 30 years.

Let’s Build!

George Rusaw is the CEO/President of Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County.

New Habitat homeowner gives thanks

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Lindsay Clark, our newest Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County homeowner, is a single mother of three and a teacher with the Citrus County School District. But it was through her journey as a partner family that gave her a sense of commun

The Clark family.

ity. Clark had many thank on her way to becoming the newest family partner to move into our community, Habitat at Citrus Springs, a 176-home development.

Listen to her story at https://youtu.be/dVDHTpCQODk?si=SbezWSKbQYhg4eRZ.

For information about our homeownership program, visit www.habitatcc.org/programs.

Habitat dedicates three new homes for family partners

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CRYSTAL RIVER – On Thursday, May 30, Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County (HFHCC) celebrated six house dedications at its Habitat at Citrus Springs development, aimed at providing affordable housing to income-qualified families. The six house dedications have brought the number of homes completed to 16 for HFHCC’s fiscal year, which runs from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024. HFHCC is on pace to complete 21 new home builds this year, the most in a single fiscal year since operations began in 1993. Join HFHCC in welcoming these new families to homeownership.

For information about our homeownership program or to learn how to apply, visit www.habitatcc.org/programs.

Habitat, Publix celebrate newest homeowner at house dedication

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CRYSTAL RIVER —Haliann Fanizza and her daughter knew Thursday would be a special day as they received their keys to their Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County (HFHCC) house.

Publix Super Markets Charities (PSMC) and Publix Super Markets made the special day sweeter when representatives from Publix Super Markets Store No. 1616 Rainbow Square Shopping Center presented a $45,000 check for a partial house sponsorship, which helped fund the Fanizza family’s new home.

In January, HFHCC was one of 125 Habitat for Humanity affiliates throughout the Southeast chosen as a recipient of grant funding to support nonprofit housing initiatives from Publix Super Markets Charities (PSMC).

“I am thankful to Publix Super Markets and Publix Super Markets Charities for being proactive in the community and helping people like myself get homes,” Fanizza said. “They’re a great supermarket and it’s awesome to see their support throughout the community and their partnership with HFHCC.”

Public Super Market Store No. 1616 employees Josh Williamson, Chris Valerioti and Brittany Swain were on hand for Habitat’s newest homeowner, Haliann Fanizza and her daughter’s, house dedication Thursday, May 30.

PSMC has been a long-time, steadfast supporter of HFHCC, often providing grants for partial home builds.

“We are grateful for the continued support of Publix Super Markets Charities and Publix,” said George Rusaw, HFHCC president/CEO. “From grant funding to volunteerism, they’ve played an important role for our organization within the Citrus community. Their generosity enables us to continue our mission and provide solid foundations for families through homeownership.”

“Publix Super Markets Charities is proud to continue the legacy of George Jenkins by supporting Habitat for Humanity affiliates and other nonprofits focused on helping people achieve home ownership,” said PSMC Executive Director Kelly Williams-Puccio. “The funds received by HFHCC will help give families a place to call home, providing them with stability and strengthening the Citrus County community.”

HFHCC is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that seeks to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, neighborhoods and hope. We work to eliminate substandard housing for people of all backgrounds, races and religions by providing simple, decent, affordable housing to those who have a need, ability to pay and willingness to partner. For more information, visit www.habitatcc.org or call

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Team Rubicon joins forces with Habitat for Community Build Day

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Team Rubicon, a veteran-led humanitarian organization, has grown accustomed to rebuilding communities before, during, and after disasters and crises. But recently, the organization had an opportunity to help build a community as 10 of its team members from across central Florida partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County (HFHCC) for a Community Build Day.

Team Rubicon’s 10-member team paired up with HFHCC core volunteers and partner families to work on four future Habitat homes, helping with vinyl siding, preparation work for flooring installation in three homes and several other tasks at its Habitat at Citrus Springs affordable housing development.

“The teamwork between the two organizations was incredible,” said Dale Lange of Team Rubicon. “We were treated just like one of the Habitat for Humanity team. This is clearly the beginning of a great relationship in Citrus County.”

Habitat for Humanity is a great organization and has much in common with Team Rubicon, said Team Rubicon’s Grant Covington, who helped organize the Community Build Day between Team Rubicon and HFHCC.

“Our volunteers selflessly work to improve the lives of our most vulnerable citizens at no cost to them,” Covington said. “We love to work hard, get dirty, and be part of something bigger than our individual selves – or in this case, our organizations. There is no greater feeling than knowing we made a difference in the lives of other people. “

Added Justin Leech, COO for Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County: “It was a pleasure to have a veteran-led organization of construction professionals to partner with us in our mission to build affordable houses. We are honored to have them as our new partners in the community and we look forward to the next Community Build Day with Team Rubicon.”

If your organization, civic group, church or business would like to schedule a Community Build Day, call Jeff Bryan, Marketing & Communications Manager, at 352-563-2744 or email [email protected].