FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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What is Trident Habitat for Humanity?
Trident Habitat for Humanity (HFH) is a nonprofit, Christian housing ministry that believes every man, woman, and child should have a decent, safe and affordable place to live. Trident Habitat, which is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, is a support organization providing financial and administrative support to the five Greater Metro Charleston Area Habitat for Humanity affiliates. The Trident Habitat affiliates, using volunteer labor and donations build homes in the counties of Charleston, Dorchester and Berkeley. The partner families purchase these homes through no-profit, no-interest mortgage loans. How does the process work? Habitat homes are built utilizing volunteer labor and donations. Partner families invest hundreds of hours of their own labor, known as “sweat equity”, into building their Habitat home and the homes of others. These homes are then sold to partner families at no profit and are financed with no-interest affordable mortgage loans. The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are ‘recycled’ to continue building more Habitat homes. How can an individual or a family apply for a Trident Habitat home? Those interested in applying for a home must do so by applying directly through one of the five Trident Habitat affiliates. Generally, prospective homeowners must attend a Homeowner Application seminar held by the affiliates. Specific requirements of each affiliate may be obtained by calling the affiliate in your area directly. See the contact information for each affiliate included on this website or you may call 843-972-0312. How are families selected to receive a Habitat home? Each of the five Trident Habitat affiliates have their own criteria and process for selecting families. In general, the affiliate’s family selection committee chooses homeowners based on their level of need, their willingness to become partners in the program and their ability to repay the loan. All of the affiliates follow a non-discriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing the families who receive a home. |
Where does Trident Habitat operate?
The Trident Habitat service area includes Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester Counties. These are all of the areas serviced by the five affiliates in the Greater Metro Charleston Area. Habitat for Humanity of Berkeley County serves all of Berkeley County with the exception of Cainhoy, Huger and Daniel Island. Charleston HFH serves peninsula Charleston, West Ashley and North Charleston. Dorchester County serves all of Dorchester County. East Cooper HFH serves Mt. Pleasant, Awendaw and McClellanville as well as Daniel Island, Cainhoy and Huger. Sea Island HFH serves Johns, James, Wadmalaw and Edisto Islands, along with Hollywood and Ravenel. How are donations distributed and used? Trident Habitat relies on gifts from individuals, corporations and other groups to fund the organization’s support to the Trident Habitat affiliate’s home-building mission. All donations of any amount are deeply appreciated and help build more decent, affordable houses for families in need. What is a Habitat Restore? Each of the five Trident Habitat affiliates operate a ReStore, which receives donations of new or gently used furniture, building materials, appliances and more from local individuals and organizations. The ReStore then sells these items to the public at deeply discounted prices. Proceeds from the area's ReStores go directly toward building Habitat homes in the greater metro Charleston area. Stores are located in Goose Creek, downtown Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, Johns Island and Summerville. Who controls and manages Trident Habitat? The board of directors of Trident Habitat consists of five members. Each member is an executive director of one of the five greater metro Charleston area Habitat for Humanity affiliates. How can an individual become a volunteer? Those interested in volunteering should visit www.tridenthabitat.org for additional details, or contact the volunteer coordinator at each Trident Habitat affilate location. |
