How does Habitat benefit the community?
In addition to the low-income families who become homeowners each year, the San Antonio community realizes substantial benefit from Habitat homes: – The property tax base increases in blighted areas of the city, and families have more income available to contribute to the growth of the San Antonio economy. Many Habitat homeowners invest their savings from monthly housing costs for additional education and training which will increase their earning potential. – The Habitat homes catalyze improvement by prompting neighboring homeowners to begin to clean up and beautify their existing properties and buildings, creating more of a community environment in which families will take pride. – The Texas Association of Homebuilders reported in 1997 that children of homeowners were more likely to be in school at the age of 17 than children of renters. Similarly, children of homeowners were more likely to graduate from high school and less likely to become pregnant during their teenage years.
