volume LXVI | may 2019
Homebuilding Investment Fund unlocks millions to build affordable homes

In 2018, San Diego Habitat for Humanity partnered with Mission Driven Finance to launch the Homebuilding Investment Fund to connect socially conscious investors with a meaningful way to address the region’s housing crisis. Unlike traditional investment firms, Mission Driven Finance develops opportunities for enterprises doing good to access the capital they need to create positive impact in their communities. Investors with the firm measure return in both financial gain and community benefit -- such as this much-needed housing for families struggling to make ends meet.

This month, Mission Driven Finance announced that investors have contributed more than $1 million to the investment fund that will bankroll Habitat housing development throughout San Diego County - in El Cajon, National City, Encinitas and San Diego’s Logan Heights neighborhood. Mission Driven Finance expects to aggregate roughly $2 million by the time the fund closes to investments next month.

Habitat for Humanity will be able to use the fund similar to a line of credit. The funding will allow the organization to bid for parcels of land, develop housing and offer units to families earning less than the county’s area median income through 30-year mortgages. The fund’s investors include direct private contributors, local foundations and donor-advised fund holders at the San Diego Foundation and the Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego.
Women Build results are in!

Thanks to the support of over 1,000 Women Build donors, this year’s Women Build event raised over $160,000 to support Habitat’s homebuilding mission here in San Diego County. 338 Women Builders joined us for the event and made significant headway at Comm22, our 11-home construction in Logan Heights, including framing the entire first floor of Phase 3, installing steel soffits, straight-edging, installing Brickfast with grout, and completing waterproof barrier.

A very special thank you to our presenting sponsor, Cox ! This year they contributed more than $85,000 in cash and media sponsorship for Habitat and had more than 75 volunteers join us for a dedicated Cox Build Day during Women Build, bringing the number of hours volunteered with Habitat to over 1,700. Watch a recap of what they accomplished here .
raise your voice to help Habitat

In March, the White House released its budget request for fiscal year 20. The budget request proposed eliminating every single federal program that supports Habitat’s work. While this outcome is disappointing, the budget request is simply a blueprint of the administration's priorities and proposed funding levels, and Congress will ultimately make the final funding decisions in the fiscal year 20 budget.

Please reach out to your members of Congress today telling them why you support funding for Habitat's priority federal programs. The proposed funding cuts include key programs at the Department of Housing and Urban Development including the HOME Investment Partnership Program and the Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program, not to mention the entire Corporation for National and Community Service agency, which oversees the AmeriCorps program.

Now, it’s up to Congress to decide whether or not this version of the budget is approved. And it’s up to us, as supporters of safe and decent housing for everyone, to contact our members of Congress and ask for their support in funding these key programs.
expanding home repair services

San Diego Habitat will be part of a new two year, $2.5 million partnership funded by the City of San Diego’s Community Development Block Grant Program. It’s called Single-Family Home Repair, and brings together the expertise of several local nonprofits to improve 80-100 homes throughout the City owned by families earning less than 80 percent of the Area Median Income. Repairs will focus on sustainability, energy efficiency health and safety. Each improvement project will be allotted up to $25,000. Grid Alternatives , a nonprofit organization focusing on accessible solar technology, will lead the effort, alongside Habitat, Urban Corps , and Rebuilding Together San Diego .

This cohesive partnership allows Habitat’s neighborhood revitalization program to continue to create impact and improve the quality of life of families in the communities we serve.
strengthen our community through a year of service with Habitat AmeriCorps

San Diego Habitat AmeriCorps positions for the 2019-20 service year have been announced! AmeriCorps is a national service program with the goal of improving lives and fostering civic engagement. In addition to hands-on nonprofit experience, members will earn a biweekly living stipend, a monthly rent stipend, an education award and health benefits. Discover if a gap year is right for you, whether you've just finished school or you're looking to find your path.

For any questions concerning the AmeriCorps program, please contact Chris Orkwis at chris.orkwis@sandiegohabitat.org .
playhouse assistants needed!

Come learn how to lead teams to build playhouses for children in San Diego! We'll be providing training here at the Habitat office in Kearny Mesa. No experience is necessary - any skill level is welcome! In addition to being a tremendous fundraiser for the Habitat mission, completed playhouses are given to qualified families at no cost, creating a wonderful miniature Habitat house where children can dream big!
enjoy free tickets to San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory's upcoming concert

Our friends at San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory (SDYS) are offering free tickets to our supporters and volunteers to their Spring Ovation Concert on Sunday, June 9, 2019 at 4:00pm at Copley Symphony Hall. This concert will feature performances by SDYS' most advanced student musicians as they perform their stunning 2018-19 season finale. Claim your free tickets here ! See attached flyer for more information and special promo code.
partner corner

Thank you to these generous sponsors for helping Habitat build homes, communities, and hope in May!
San Diego Habitat for Humanity
8128 Mercury Court, San Diego, CA 92111
619-283-4663 (HOME)