Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity

PROJECT PURPOSE

Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity has purchased the 160 acres of land on which we would like to build affordable housing. Requested funding would provide the infrastructure ? electric, gas, sewer, roads, water access, broadband ? so that we can build Habitat homes. The property, called Cornerstone Creek, is in north OKC at NW 150th and Morgan Road in Canadian County. The application to build 445 homes on this land was approved by the OKC Planning Commission on 12/9/2021. This development is perfect for long-term home ownership ? easy access to main transportation corridors, access to high quality Piedmont Public Schools, shopping and services. Families currently living in the development?s census tract have a median income that is well above the Area Median Income (AMI). The average Habitat homeowner has an annual income of $43,860 or less for a family of four, which is 60% of AMI. Our new neighborhood would be diversifying the economy by investing in physical infrastructure that expands economic growth. In possessing a lifelong asset, even the most financially vulnerable people can reach a level of strength, stability and self-reliance that home ownership can offer.

EVIDENCE

Addressing housing affordability is the most cost-effective way of lifting people out of poverty, for reducing childhood poverty and increasing economic mobility, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition. A MacArthur Foundation report shows that poor housing quality and housing instability is among the most consistent and strongest predictors of emotional and behavioral problems in low-income children and youth. The Oklahoma Policy Institute reports that homeownership is increasingly out of reach, and there is a growing racial disparity among new homeowners. Potential homeowners are experiencing increasing home prices, stagnant wages, and rising childcare costs.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted people of color and low-income families. Job loss, reduction in work hours, health issues, school disruptions ? while everyone was impacted by the pandemic, studies have consistently shown that low-income and lower-middle class families were most significantly impacted. This is the population that Habitat serves. Over the last two years, participants have been 40% Hispanic or Latino, 34% African American or Black, 18% White, and 8% Asian. To qualify for Habitat?s affordable housing, individuals and families must illustrate a need for housing and have incomes of less than 80% of the Area Median Income, or $58,480 for a family of four. Participants also must illustrate the ability to pay a mortgage on a house sold at cost. Children are positively impacted by Habitat because housing instability and poor housing quality causes family stress, which is highly correlated with child maltreatment and an increase in emotional and behavioral problems. Many of our Habitat homeowners believe home ownership is out of their reach, but with the support Habitat provides, it can be a reality. By being a Habitat homeowner in Cornerstone Creek, lower-income families will gain access to a desirable neighborhood with access to strong schools, transportation, and services.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Our affordable housing developments begin with a project plan that we develop in coordination with the City of OKC Planning Department, civil engineers, and project managers. It will include timelines and expectations, which we will revisit regularly to ensure that the project is being executed as expected. We have an established application process for our prospective homeowners to ensure that they qualify for affordable housing. Additionally, we track demographic information of our homeowners for reporting purposes. We have the internal processes in place to collect this information for purposes of reporting on ARPA funding.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

One-time project will not need continued funding