In 2024, Richmond Habitat created a Homeowner Council to help improve our Homeownership program. The group is made up of eight Habitat homeowners who have gone through our Homeownership program and purchased their homes as recently as 2023 to over two decades ago.
The group met three times in the 2024 fiscal year and discussed floor plans with Director of Construction, Ryan Pacyna; brainstormed educational opportunities; and made suggestions for how to better prepare participants for life as homeowners. They are helping determine the education needed to better understand homeownership and maintenance as homes age.
The council created a survey for homeowners to gauge how they would like to receive and use the information and to see if there are other topics they are interested in learning more about.
With help from the Women Build Council, the program also put together two fundraisers, the Comedy Show and the She Builds Bash. The Council includes ten members, many of whom have spent the past 10 years helping to build the program. Christina Irby enjoys volunteering and feels grateful to be part of the program while helping local families.
Marquita, a Habitat homeowner and board member, wanted to be part of the council to serve as a conduit for collecting and sharing thoughts and ideas from homeowners.
“As the first group to serve on the Homeowner Council, I hope we can establish processes and procedures to benefit current and future homeowners. I also hope by providing valuable feedback, we will help the Board and Habitat employees better serve partner families and set a foundation for ongoing growth.”
Moving forward, the council will continue to provide guidance on the program and help create post-purchase resources.
