As we get ready celebrate the holidays with our families and friends this holiday season let’s also take some time to think about giving back to our communty. Join Noozhawk this #GivingTuesday and make a donation to a local nonprofit.
Noozhawk is teaming up with local nonprofits to encourage you to take part in the international day of giving, which takes place on November 30th, 2021.
It is no secret that this past year and a half has been full of challenges. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, local nonprofits need your support now more than ever.
Our Good for Santa Barbara Nonprofit Section provides all the resources you need to donate this holiday season, including a full Giving Guide with a list of local nonprofits who need your help this Giving Tuesday.
In this interview, Noozhawk spoke with Jessica de L’Arbre, CEO at Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County, to learn more about how the nonprofit is dedicated to helping individuals and families build and improve a place to call home.
Habitat for Humanity
Question: What is the name & mission of your nonprofit?
Answer: Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County (Habitat Santa Barbara) is a local nonprofit that builds homes, communities, and hope.
Q: How long has your nonprofit been in service?
A: Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County was established locally in the year 2000 by a group of dedicated and passionate volunteers.
Q: What was the inspiration behind your nonprofit?
A: Our vision is a place where everyone has a decent place to live. We work towards our vision by building strength, stability, and self-reliance in partnership with individuals and families in need of affordable housing.
Q: How is your nonprofit primarily funded and what are your greatest needs?
A: The majority of our funding comes from generous individuals and organizations in our community. We currently see a great need in Southern Santa Barbara County for home repairs – preserving the affordable housing we do have – in addition to building new affordable homes.
In addition to financial support, we continue to look for volunteers who are experienced in the trades and/or are licensed professionals in the building / construction industry.
Q: How has COVID-19 impacted your nonprofit?
A: Like most organizations, COVID-19 has had significant impacts on Habitat Santa Barbara, and consequently, we have created new safety protocols under which we deliver our mission. We have witnessed that COVID-19 has exacerbated the need for affordable housing – especially home repairs with so many members of our community spending time at home. We believe home is a form of health care and a route to stability. The local housing vacancy is at its lowest, with rent and home sale prices at its highest- and we remain dedicated to our mission to provide safe, decent, and affordable housing in Southern Santa Barbara County.
In addition to operating our programs within local, state and CDC guidelines, we have also developed innovative ways to leverage technology and work remotely — in addition to operating construction jobsites with COVID safety protocols in place.
Q: What types of fundraisers and/or programs does your nonprofit run?
A: Habitat Santa Barbara focuses on a few core program areas: New Construction (we are currently working on our fifth affordable housing complex) and Neighborhood Revitalization (which includes home repairs). We have several housing stability, educational and mentorship classes that are provided to existing homeowners, new home repair clients, and community members at-large. We host an annual gala that supports our operational costs, and we are excited to announce that our 2022 Gala will be held safely in person on May 20, 2022 at an outdoor venue.
We have also increased our organization’s focus on legislative advocacy for affordable and stable housing in our community- on the local, state and federal level. We have several housing stability, educational and mentorship classes that are provided to existing homeowners, new home repair clients, and community members at-large.
Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County is a fair and equal housing organization.
Q: How do people get involved/volunteer for your nonprofit?
A: We are always grateful for new volunteers! Opportunities to volunteer during one of our home repair projects are frequently available and listed on our website. We are also continually looking for leadership volunteers to serve on our Board of Directors or on one of our numerous committees.
We are committed to delivering our mission in a safe and responsible way. For those interested in learning more about future opportunities please visit our website or call 805-692-2226.
Q: What makes your nonprofit different from others?
A: Something that is unique about Habitat Santa Barbara is that we are investing in home preservation through our home repair program. Home preservation maintains the existing stock of affordable housing in Santa Barbara, where the cost of living is nearly double the national average. Preserving a home is a one-time investment that can last a lifetime.
Q: Can you share one or two stories of individuals whose lives have been changed because of your organization?
A: Imagine being a senior and living alone on a small, fixed income, as your home begins falling apart around you. Where would you go? In pricey Santa Barbara, renting or buying again is not an option. Many people have been priced out of local senior homes as they age. Yet, a safe place to live is crucial for health—for individuals and families of any age. That’s why Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County continues its mission of constructing new, affordable units, while repairing existing homes for our low-income neighbors who face health and safety concerns right here in Santa Barbara.
One of those senior residents, Barbara, is what we call a homeowner partner. At 87, she has lived in Santa Barbara since the 1960s. She owns her home in the Hidden Valley area, but as her physical mobility deteriorated, she couldn’t afford to make the accommodations that would let her safely “age in place.” Barbara uses a walker to get around her house. Her severe arthritis makes it hard to move, to drive or even to grab the bars in her bathtub shower. The situation was about to get even worse. She had an urgent surgery coming up, and bathing at home in a renovated bathroom was essential for her recovery. That’s when her daughter, Kim, saw our ad in the local paper and placed a call for help.
A crew skilled at plumbing replaced the bathtub with a walk-in shower, changed built-in fixtures that blocked Barbara’s walker, and installed a new toilet that was easier to use and reduced the risk of falls. Next, as a part of the Habitat Santa Barbara partnership model, her adult children agreed to volunteer to paint the walls and complete the finishings in the bathroom—the kind of work we call “sweat equity.” When it was done, Barbara had a completely remodeled bathroom that improved her self-sufficiency, housing stability and safety. Without the repairs, her health and well-being would suffer.
For low-income homeowners like Barbara, the best decision, both financially and emotionally, is to stay in their home. That’s why Habitat Santa Barbara believes preserving homes that are already affordable is as important as building new ones.
Q: How does the work of your nonprofit get communicated to the public?
A: Our work is communicated through word of mouth, volunteer outreach, local news outlets, emails to supporters, our website, and our social media platforms. Website: www.sbhabitat.org. Instagram/Twitter/ Facebook: @sbhabitat
Click here to support Habitat for Humanity’s mission to build strength, stability, and self-reliance in partnership with individuals and families in need of decent and affordable housing.