How Habitat for Humanity is opening the door for affordable housing this summer

WARNER ROBINS — Owning a home can be difficult these days. According to Zillow, the average price for a home in Warner Robins is $212,565, a 3.4% increase over the past year.

However, through the Houston County Habitat for Humanity’s affordable homeownership program, families can live that dream of owning a home. 

Their latest community build under construction is located on Tiffany Lane in Warner Robins. The homes are projected to be ready by July.

Since they originated in 1991, the non-profit has built 75 homes in the county. 

Every year, Houston County Habitat for Humanity opens its affordable homeownership program to any resident who lives or works in the county, has a stable income, and enough money to cover a mortgage payment. 

For example, a family of four would have to have a minimum income of $28,805 yearly and a maximum of $57,610. The application process will open later this summer. 

Chiquella Taylor and her family applied for the program last May. They were approved the following month and are moving to Tiffany Lane.

“I think this program is amazing,” Taylor said. “I’ve been telling everybody that would listen about it because right now, even at a middle class family level, one of the biggest issues is affordability.”

Community Outreach Manager for Houston County Habitat for Humanity, Billie Cook, said the homeowners purchase the home from the non-profit. The organization uses donations to buy materials to build the homes. 

Then, the homeowner will purchase the home with 0% interest. 

Qualifiers must also do “sweat equity,” over 300 hours of volunteer work, such as helping build homes or homeownership-related courses. Taylor took courses on homeowners’ insurance, home maintenance, credit repair and budgeting. 

Her work behind the scenes was her payment for a brighter future.

“This program makes it so that home ownership is affordable and that’s great for me and my family,” Taylor said.

Cook said the four homes on Tiffany Lane vary based on the family’s preference. 

Taylor’s four-bedroom house will be perfect for her family of five, and she can’t wait to move in.

“We’re most looking forward to decorating,” Taylor said. “We’ve been making lists and shopping carts, and we’re just ready to make it ours.” 

This is not her first experience with Habitat for Humanity. Taylor volunteered to maintain homes in high school. 

Now, receiving a house is a full-circle moment that she is ready to pay forward.

“I want to continue this because [Habitat for Humanity] is making a difference in so many families’ lives and are doing hard work,” she said.

For more information about Houston County Habitat for Humanity, go to their website.