Why Housing Matters: Building Stability, Opportunity, and a Brighter Future with Habitat ChesCo

Habitat for Humanity
Oct 31
5 min read

As we celebrate National Gratitude Month this November, we pause to reflect on what we’re most thankful for: you. Every staff member, volunteer, donor, and advocate plays a vital role in helping local families achieve strength, stability, and self-reliance through homeownership.

At Habitat for Humanity of Chester County, gratitude is more than a feeling; it’s the core of our mission. Every time a family receives the keys to their new home, a volunteer swings a hammer, and a donor contributes to a build, we’re reminded of the power of community and compassion. Together, we make it possible for more families to experience the security and opportunity of having a safe place to call home.

Housing isn’t just a place to live; it’s the foundation for a family’s health, education, financial stability, and long-term success. The difference between unaffordable and affordable housing can be life-changing.

Housing stability supports health: Families with stable housing are 50% less likely to experience serious health problems and more than twice as likely to report good mental health.¹
Affordable housing improves education: Children in stable, affordable housing are more likely to graduate from high school and perform better academically due to reduced school disruptions and home-related stress.²
Homeownership builds generational wealth: The median net worth of homeowners is about 40 times higher than that of renters. Affordable homeownership is a critical pathway to economic mobility.³
Essential workers are often priced out of their communities: In many metro areas, essential workers like teachers and EMTs must spend more than 50% of their income to live near their jobs. Affordable housing options help retain key community members.⁴
Affordable housing supports stronger neighborhoods: Communities with higher homeownership rates have lower crime, greater civic participation, and stronger social ties.⁵
Financial stability improves with affordable housing: When housing costs are manageable, families are more likely to invest in health, education, and savings—unlocking long-term resilience and opportunity.⁶
Habitat homeowners are more likely to feel connected to their communities: 74% of surveyed Habitat homeowners say they feel a strong sense of belonging in their neighborhood.⁵
Volunteerism powers Habitat’s mission: More than 1.4 million volunteers engage with Habitat worldwide each year, making community transformation possible at every level.⁷
Affordable housing builds lasting stability: Habitat homeowners are more likely to stay in their homes long-term and experience improved financial health and educational outcomes for their children.⁸
Community partnerships amplify local impact: Nonprofit partnerships increase long-term project success by 30%, and community-driven efforts result in higher resident satisfaction and engagement.⁶
Habitat’s model fosters long-term financial growth: Families who purchase a Habitat home report a median increase of 56% in net assets within five years.⁹

A Closer Look: The Impact on Everyday Budgets

Consider a teacher earning $60,000 per year in Chester County. With rent for a modest two-bedroom apartment consuming 43–50% of take-home pay, nearly all disposable income is gone. Essentials like student loans, car payments, utilities, groceries, and medical expenses leave virtually nothing for savings, investments, or opportunities to build wealth. The cycle is clear:

Rent consumes too much income → no savings
No savings → can’t qualify for a mortgage → stuck renting
Stuck renting → cost burden continues year after year
Cost burden → reduced ability to contribute to the local economy

Even higher earners face similar challenges. A nurse, first responder, or technician earning $80,000 per year supporting a child can spend nearly 60% of their monthly income on rent and childcare alone, leaving almost nothing for savings or financial security.

When housing costs swallow nearly half a paycheck, teachers, nurses, and first responders can’t save for a home, invest in their children, or build stability. With affordable housing capped at 30% of income, families suddenly have room to save thousands each year, creating opportunity, security, and generational wealth.

Teacher – $60k/year (Affordable Housing at 30%)

Take-home pay: $3,750/month
Housing: $1,125
Essentials (student loans, car, utilities, groceries, medical): ~$1,988
Savings & investments: $637/month (~$7,600/year)

Nurse/First Responder – $80k/year (Affordable Housing at 30%)

Take-home pay: $4,667/month
Housing: $1,400
Essentials (childcare, car, student loans, utilities, groceries, medical): ~$3,010
Savings & investments: $502/month (~$6,000/year)

Affordable housing doesn’t just reduce monthly stress; it creates the opportunity to:

Save for a down payment or retirement
Build an emergency fund
Invest in children’s education and future
Support local businesses and participate in the community

Affordable housing frees families to save, grow, and build lasting stability. Unaffordable rent keeps families in survival mode, while affordable housing gives them the chance to thrive. It creates financial security, opens doors to education and healthcare, strengthens communities, and lays the foundation for generational wealth.

Gift Stability, Opportunity, and a Brighter Future

Reflecting on gratitude this month, we’re especially thankful for the supporters who make housing affordable so families and essential workers can invest in their futures. Your gift makes the 30% difference that turns the dream of homeownership into reality. Every home we help build, locally or globally, becomes a stepping stone toward stability, opportunity, and a brighter future.

When Kevin Norman contacted Habitat ChesCo, he was determined to give his two children more than just a roof over their heads. His family had been living with a relative for years, and while he was grateful for that support, he knew his kids deserved a place they could truly call their own.

“I want my kids to see that hard work is rewarded and doesn’t go unnoticed. I want them to know that if you keep pushing, good will come from it,” Kevin shared.

Kevin’s home, and the life-changing lessons it represents, is possible because of supporters like you.

Right now, the need for housing that is affordable for everyone has never been greater. Families working hard to support themselves are being priced out of the communities they help keep strong.

With your support, we can do more than build homes; we can provide stability, strengthen neighborhoods, improve children's academic performance, and contribute to thriving local economies.

Your gift today will help us in the next 12 months:

Complete 5 to 10 more homes in West Grove, including Kevin and his family’s.
Break ground and begin construction on 14 homes in Coatesville and 2 homes in Phoenixville.
Help continue providing critical repairs so seniors and veterans can live safely at home.

Other Ways to Support Our Mission

Join our Square Foot Club, a flexible monthly giving program that helps us plan, purchase materials, and build homes. Your gift, of any amount, can be adjusted or canceled at any time.
Leave a planned gift through a donor-advised fund, your will, IRA, or another method.
Volunteer to support our ReStores, builds, events, or community outreach efforts.
Browse our ReStores for great finds, or donate items you no longer need. Every purchase or donation helps keep perfectly good items out of landfills.
Spread awareness and educate your community about the critical need for stable housing.
Advocate for policies that expand housing opportunities for everyone.

This November and beyond, your generosity helps us turn gratitude into action. Together, we are building stability, opportunity, and a brighter future for local families.

Sources:

National Center for Healthy Housing
Urban Institute
Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances
National Housing Conference, Paycheck to Paycheck Report
Habitat for Humanity Impact Studies
Joint Center for Housing Studies, Harvard University
Habitat for Humanity International
Urban Institute & Habitat for Humanity Data
Habitat affiliate Impact Reports