Now you’re speaking our language!
Below are a few terms commonly used at Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity:
affordable housing
Housing is affordable when a household spends no more than 30% of their income on housing, including their rent or mortgage, property taxes, and insurance.
area median income
The income level at which half of all families in a selected area earn more and half earn less. Use AMI only after spelling out and defining the term. In fiscal year 2024, the overall average AMI served through our programs was less than 50%, which is $55,150 for a family of four individuals.
build
Commonly used by Habitat as a noun when referring to the construction sites for our Habitat homes.
cost burden
Housing cost burden is a way of measuring housing affordability. Households paying more than 30% of income to housing costs and utilities (excluding phone) are said to be cost-burdened. Households paying more than 50% of income for housing are said to be severely cost-burdened.
critical home repair
Critical home repair projects include extensive interior or exterior work performed to alleviate critical health, life and safety issues or code violations, including a change to or repair of materials or components; a reconfiguration of space; and a modification for accessibility. We provide critical home repairs in the City of Richmond, Chesterfield County, and Henrico County.
gifts-in-kind
Gifts-in-kind refers to donated or discounted products used for construction.
future homeowner
This is an individual or family partnering with Habitat for Humanity, and how we refer to them once they are accepted into the program and while they are working on their sweat equity. After the home dedication and closing on their home, they become a Habitat homeowner.
home dedication
A home dedication is a celebratory event held at a recently completed Habitat house. The ceremony comes at the conclusion of the home build, but before the future homeowner moves in their new home. Richmond Habitat introduces the future homeowner and recognizes the volunteers, donors and other supporters who helped to complete the house.
ReStore
Habitat for Humanity ReStores are nonprofit improvement stores and donation centers selling new and gently used furniture, appliances, home goods, building materials, and more. Proceeds from the donated items help Habitat build, rehabilitate, and repair safe and affordable homes.
Richmond Habitat has multiple ways to shop:
- Chesterfield ReStore: 1201 Mall Drive, Chesterfield, Virginia, 23235.
- Northside ReStore: 1901 Roane Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23222.
- Online: www.richmondhabitatrestore.org or on eBay
sweat equity
Sweat equity is the term Habitat for Humanity uses for homeowners’ work on their own home, another home we are constructing, or in our ReStores. We require a future homeowner to complete 350 sweat equity hours while going through our homeownership program.
tithe
Habitat for Humanity’s affiliated organizations are asked to give 10% of their undesignated funds toward international house-building efforts. Tithing is one of the core values of the organization.