Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that helps families build and improve places to call home. They believe affordable housing plays a critical role in strong and stable communities.
The past two decades have ushered in a period of widespread spatial diffusion of Hispanics well beyond traditional metropolitan gateways. Residential segregation is framed by classical models of immigrant assimilation and alternative models of place stratification. Hispanics are integrating spatially with the native population and recent demographic and economic processes have eroded and perpetuated racial boundaries in nonmetropolitan areas. Hispanic residential segregation from whites is often exceptionally high and declining slowly in rural counties and communities. New Hispanic destinations, on average, have higher Hispanic segregation levels than established gateway communities. The results also highlight microscale segregation patterns within rural places and in the open countryside, a result that is consistent with emerging patterns of “white flight.” Observed estimates of Hispanic-white segregation across fast-growing nonmetropolitan counties often hide substantial heterogeneity in residential segregation. Divergent patterns of rural segregation reflect local-area differences in population dynamics, economic inequality, and the county employment base. Divergent patterns of local-area segregation often reflect spatial variation in employment across different industrial sectors.
“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much” – Helen Keller.
I'm extremely fortunate that I've been able to see first-hand the effect that Habitat has on the communities it serves. I've been on many builds in a wide variety of communities. Each build continued to affirm that Habitat is an organization that truly changes lives through hard work, love, and a lot of smiles.
There are countless ways in which you can get involved whether through monetary donations, donation of time at the Restore, or, if you have a strong back, you can help at builds. Click on the link below to learn how you can help.
Habitat works in all 50 states in the US and in over 70 countries worldwide!
Internationally, they work on home construction, neighborhood revitalization, innovation, disaster response, financial literacy and so much more.
Their Mission:
To Build Homes, Jobs, Lives, and Dreams through - Developing Communities and Creating Opportunities
They work in Latinx neighborhoods in and beyond Chicago including those in Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin to create and maintain healthy communities.
Their approach includes:
From housing development to construction, to property management and energy sustainability, they work from the ground-up to build strong communities. Neighborhood construction and rehabilitation projects create economic opportunities for residents, and their property managers help enhance the quality of life for residents while maintaining the properties' physical integrity.
Buildings are only a part of successful, thriving neighborhoods. They begin by putting down roots in the community. They work closely with community residents, local leaders, and elected representatives—they speak their language and are sensitive to their cultural values. Their concerns are reflected in each project’s planning and design.
Rehabilitation and construction inspires neighbors to improve their properties. Investment increases. Employment grows. Local landmarks—and affordable housing units—are preserved.