A World Where EVERYONE Deserves a Decent Place to Live

The need is great. The mission is simple. The solution is possible. And it all starts with you! You have the power to provide decent housing to those in need by partnering with Habitat for Humanity. Do more than just lift a hammer, help Habitat find qualified families who are in need of a "hand up not a hand out." Habitat partners with families in need by building houses and selling them through no-profit loans. Because houses are built principally by volunteers, mortgage payments are reasonable for families. Therefore, the door to a decent place to live has been opened to families who are typically unable to obtain conventional financing. Most homeowner families have an income that is between 30-50% of the median income in their area. Families are also required to invest hundreds of hours of "sweat equity" - spending time building their own home as well as other Habitat homes.

If you or someone you know is in need of a hand up, join us for our next Application Meetings February 28, at the Bryant Library, 201 Prickett, at 6:00pm and March 9 at Fountain Lake Club House, 3011 Congo Road, at 10:00 am

Qualification guidelines for Habitat for Humanity of Saline County:

1. Current resident of Saline County
2. Need for better housing: Income is at or below 50% of the median for the area.  Living in run down conditions or paying too much for rent.
3.  Ability to pay the monthly mortgage: Income must be enough to pay the mortgage payment, as well as, other living expenses.  Typically, 4 times the house payment of $350 per month.
4. Willingness to partner with Habitat: Willingness to complete Sweat Equity hours, monthly payments on time, and attend Habitat activities.

HUD Income Guidelines: To qualify, a family’s income must meet HUD Income Guidelines below.

Number in household	Minimum Gross Annual  Income	Maximum Gross Annual Income
1	$12,000	$21,750
2	$12,000	$24,850
3	$14,400	$27,950
4	$15,600	$31,050
5	$15,600	$33,550
6	$15,600	$36,050
7	$15,600	$38,550
8	$15,600	$41,000

For more information visit www.habitatsalineocuntyar.org

A Night with Pack 53

Investing in future builders was the theme of the night as Habitat of Saline County volunteered to help Wolf Den Pack 53 earn their tool badges. The evening kicked off with Habitat Tool Bingo, an activity designed to  introduce and give examples of how to use different tools. The wolf den also learned and practiced using a  Screwdriver and a Hammer. Finally, the evening ended with a Habitat craft.

Alternative Spring Break

For many students spring break is swiftly approaching, and instead of gallivanting off to the nearest beach students from Stonehill University, University of New Hampshire, Western Kentucky University, and St. Jude's Youth will experience an alternative spring break in Saline County. These students will spend combined approximate 20 days building 2 houses resulting in approximately 75 life changing experiences.

Collegiate Challenge build weeks will be March 4-9, March 11-16, and March 23-27. We are asking for volunteers to provide meals for Collegiate Challenge students during those weeks. We will need to feed teh students breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you are interested in donating a meal please contact Amy at our Habitat office 501-315-5434 or you can email her at Amy@Habitatsalinecounty.com

Habitat Just Got a Bit Sweeter!

As if the Habitat organization wasn't sweet enough already. Habitat is teaming up with M&Ms to M'Prove America! They are challenging Americans to pledge 1.5 million minutes of time spent on Facebook to help build/restore homes in their communities. Saline County is already on the M&M map, so join the fun by connecting with the M'Prove America app, which will give you a breakdown of your Facebook activity and learn how that time could be used to help build homes in partnership with low-income families. Watch your interactive house build; then, pledge up to 8 hours of your Facebook time to volunteer at Habitat for Humanity of Saline County. Once you're signed up, throw on some boots, grab your friends and join us in Partnership Village where we are preparing for two ... not one, but TWO ... Collegiate Challenge Builds. Check out www.habitatsalinecountyar.org for our full calendar of build days. While Volunteering take some pictures with instagram using the hashtag #betterwithmms and post your fulfilling day to encourage your friends to do the same.

Facebook likes can't build houses, but volunteers can! M'Prove America and Saline County TODAY!

Fridays at Ruby Tuesday

Give back while eating out every Friday in February at Ruby Tuesday in Bryant. The local management at Ruby Tuesday in Bryant, AR wanted to partner with our local Habitat for Humanity affiliate; they are going to donate 20% of your check when you present the Ruby Tuesday Give Back Flyer. The proceeds will go to the 2014 Youth United Build. Go enjoy an evening out while helping to end poverty housing in Saline County. 

Our Good Fortune!

Volunteers are the backbone of our organization, and we are thrilled to honor our 2012 Habitat Volunteers. We will host our annual You Make a Difference Volunteer Appreciation Dinner at Highland Heights Baptist Church Family Life Center on Monday, February 4 at 6:00 pm. Our theme for the evening will be "Volunteers - Our Good Fortune Fortune Since 1999." We are thrilled to have Sue Shults, Principal of Benton Middle School as our featured speaker for the evening, and are excited to announce our volunteers of the year. We have been so fortunate to have so many wonderful people volunteer for our organization throughout the year. If you would like tickets please email Amy@habitatsalinecountyar.org.