Habitat for Heroes

Habitat for Heroes

Habitat for Heroes is our national initiative to provide housing solutions, volunteer and employment opportunities to U.S. veterans, military service members and their families. We partner with numerous sponsors to provide decent, affordable housing for our deserving veterans. Habitat for Humanity Greater Peoria completed our first Habitat for Heroes Build in 2014!

The Veterans Build mission is focused on these five areas:

  1. Build: Provide simple, decent and affordable housing solutions for military, veterans and their families. 
  2. Mobilize: Engage military members, veterans, families, veterans’ groups and all military supporters in volunteer programs and veteran-related advocacy.
  3. Employ: Capitalize on skill sets gained from military service with recruitment targeting veterans as Habitat for Humanity International/local affiliate employees, board members and extended volunteers, national service members, interns and fellows.
  4. Educate: Promote cultural competency for Habitat affiliates engaging military and veterans and provide access to financial literacy and homeownership education programs.
  5. Honor: Host regular slate of events highlighting veteran housing needs and honoring their service. Target dates include the 9/11 Day of Service, MLK Day and Veterans Day.

Material List

In order to help our military families, we have to raise a certain amount of money in order to purchase our materials. If you or anyone you know would be willing to partner with us to help provide these necessary materials, please contact Lea Anne at 309 676-6729 ext. 6.

 

Habitat for Humanity's guidelines for selecting applicants:

  1. Veteran must have honorable discharge from service branch. 
  2. The NEED for decent, affordable housing is the most important criteria in the selection of a Veteran family. Need is defined as: safe, accessible, affordable housing.
  3.  Your ABILITY TO PAY for a Habitat home is determined by the income guidelines listed below. Applicants must be able to show a stable income record and demonstrate a history of financial responsibility and the ability to pay back the Habitat mortgage.

2023  Maximum Income Guidelines monthly income

Family Size

Monthly Income

Annual Income

One

$2,638-$4,217

$31,650-$50,600

Two

$3,013-$4,817

$36,150-$57,800

Three

$3,388-$5,421

$40,650-$65,050

Four

$3,763-$6,021

$45,150-$72,250

Five

$4,067-$6,504

$48,800-$78,050

Six

$4,367-$6,988

$52,400-$83,850

Seven

$4,667-$7,467

$56,000-$89,600

Eight

$4,967-$7,950

$59,600-$95,400

 

 

      4.     Your WILLINGNESS TO PARTNER - SWEAT EQUITY - Once you have been selected to receive a home, your family becomes a “Partner Family.” This partnership is a unique characteristic of our program. You will contribute to your ongoing eligibility through “Sweat Equity.” Required is 250 hours (500 for a couple) of sweat equity. This means working at least 15 hours per month per adult. Any family member over 18 years of age can contribute to sweat equity hours. You will work on your home, another home, Habitat project, in ReStores, etc. (accommodations will be made for veteran families with disabilities). Sweat Equity is a fun way to stay involved with the Habitat      community and enjoy the process of completing your future home. Attendance at required workshops pertaining to budgeting, home maintenance and other topics regarding homeownership is also necessary.

 

Families must have lived or worked in the Greater Peoria Area for at least one year prior to applying.

 

5th veteran build Spring 2023!

 

 

 

It is with great joy we announce our 5th Habitat for Heroes Build 2023

for Veteran David Backes!

 

 

David and wife Sandra are excited to partner with Habitat on their new home! The Veteran Build will begin construction in Spring of 2023 on the 2000 block of Springfield Road in East Peoria. 

 

David joined the Army in 1977, when he was 18. He entered active duty in Chicago, Illinois. David was in the service as an E6-Staff Sargent from 1977 to 1993. After entering the service in Chicago, he was sent to Fort Dixon, New Jersey and Fort Benning, Georgia for training. Staff Sargent Backes was in the Infantry in Fort Davis, Gatun, Panama and Fort Carson, Colorado. During his time in the service, Staff Sargent Backes served as an infantryman for 16 years and 1 month. He worked with Corrections NCO for 5 years and 4 months.

 

Staff Sargent Backes was awarded:

 

·        Army Service Ribbon

·        Oversea Service Ribbon (3)

·        Expert Infantryman Badge

·        National Defense Service Medal w/1 Bronze Service Star  

·        DS Ident Badge

·        Army Achievement Medal (9)

·        Army Commendation Medal (2)

·        NCO Professional Development Ribbon (3)

·        Army Good Conduct Medal (5)

·        German MKM Badge (Brz)

·        US Army Retired Lapel Button

 

Staff Sargent Backes last duty assigned was USA Spt Comd HI USARPAC P1 at Fort Shafter, Hawaii. He honorably retired in 1993.