Habitat for Humanity of Sonoma County (HFHSC) is a nonprofit, faith based organization dedicated to improving lives by building modest, affordable homes in partnership with our communities and families in need.  Our vision is for every person in Sonoma County to have a simple, decent place to live.

Our Board of Directors boldly embraced this vision in 2002, and dedicated themselves to becoming continuous builders.  Prior to that time, they depended solely on volunteers and were deterred by the high cost of land and permit fees.  By hiring an Executive Director and small staff, they were able to begin the building of an organization that could raise funds and recruit volunteers to take Habitat for Humanity of Sonoma County to a new level of activity.  “Building on Faith” was the motto taken to heart.

HFHSC had a history of dedicated volunteers who had, since 1984, rehabilitated 18 homes and made them livable for low income homeowners unable to afford home repairs.  They had also built two new homes for families in need, one in 1991 and one in 2000.  But this was a whole new venture, which has already reaped impressive results and promises more in the future.

Events that have transpired since this landmark decision, have reinforced the wisdom of embracing a dream and making it reality. Just imagine, we are about to complete the Kali subdivision in Santa Rosa. We have eleven houses either being built or ready to be built in the next few years, and a goal of 20 homes by 2010.  

Volunteers come out two to three times a week to build on the houses.  Volunteers come to meetings to choose homeowner partner families, to plan future builds, to mentor the homeowner-partner families, and to plan fund raising activities.  Involvement of our faith congregations and our corporate sponsors has expanded and continues to expand.

Homeowner Partner Families are coming out weekly to put in sweat equity alongside the volunteers and watching their dream come together.  When they have put in their 500 hours of sweat equity, and the homes are finished, they will be given a no interest mortgage, so the cost of building the home will still be affordable to them.

Having been chosen by need, ability to pay a no interest mortgage, and a willingness to partner, these families will go on to be ambassadors for future Habitat builds, so others like them can realize the dream of a decent, affordable home.