Text Box: 600 families in Hanover County are living below the poverty level. 146 families have no source of heat. Nearly 200 families lack complete plumbing facilities. The majority of these families include children under the age of 18.  Because they cannot afford traditional loans, many of these families are hidden down country lanes in one of the Commonwealth's most affluent communities. The rising costs of land and new homes in Hanover County are forcing teachers, police, fire and service workers out of the housing market. In Hanover County, there is enough land, manpower, materials and capital to eliminate substandard and poverty housing.  It is a matter of conscience and will to maximize these resources.    

Text Box: A Hand Up, Not a Hand-out Poverty is the root cause of so many of society's costly problems.  Hanover Habitat breaks the cycle of poverty by offering an opportunity for families to work for a new home.  Working with churches, businesses, local government and other nonprofit organizations, Hanover Habitat coordinates the resources of the community to purchase and develop land and build simple, decent homes. The average Hanover Habitat home is 1,100 square feet and costs $95,000 to construct. Qualified families agree to put at least 350 hours of “sweat equity” into the building of Habitat homes.  Zero-percent mortgage payments allow homeowners to pay down principal, significantly increasing their equity.  This rapid build-up of equity positively reinforces the pride of ownership and sense of community.  These feelings, in turn, produce stability.  Stability keeps families together.  When families stay together, children graduate high school.  With an education, a sense of community, and a sense of financial well-being, the cycle of poverty is broken for generations to come!