Some say the housing market is looking up, even healthy in many cities across the country.  But a housing crisis still exists for nearly two billion people worldwide who reside in slum housing and the 100 million+ who are homeless.

While fleeting programs and incentives like tax credits are helping many – including your bottom line – Habitat for Humanity continues to be a mainstay, providing more than 1.5 million people with affordable housing to date.

To learn more about why and how building product manufacturers should get involved with the non-profit organization, we spoke with Mike Mitchell, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake, and an IMRE client.  Mike has been a part of the organization for almost seven years now.  He came to Baltimore to learn how public policy affects communities and, in turn, wanted to work in a place that could create those transformations.

Here’s what Mike had to say:

1.    What do you define as the key benefits of Habitat for Humanity?

There are two ways that Habitat for Humanity contributes.  First, in the community we take vacant land and property and transform it into new homes, creating more suitable neighborhoods.  These home are available for direct purchase with no-interest mortgage.

Second, we support the building industry by creating a demand for products and building materials that are used in a house during and after construction, like HVAC equipment, wood, flooring and more.

The work we do creates a demand for housing in those neighborhoods that the private sector wouldn’t touch, and it creates a demand for new construction and renovation for more housing.

2.    How often do building product manufacturers (BPMs) reach out to learn about partnership opportunities?

To be honest, it’s a limited extent.  The challenge is we don’t know who many of them are, so it would be great to invite them to see what we’re doing and become a part of our mission.

3.    What types of questions do potential partners and volunteers ask?

They want to know they’re getting real engagement and real volunteer time; feel like they’re actually making a difference.  They ask about a certain level of visibility in order to leverage the value of Habitat for Humanity.

Whereas most non-profits are transactional (a builder would write a check, the organization delivers a service with that), Habitat for Humanity is transformational; meaning people not only give money but also volunteer themselves and engage.  That creates a long-term transformation.

4.    Is there a typical role of the BPM and, if so, what is that role?

The ideal scenario is the donation of material and labor, but it can be one or the other; they can give however they want to.  We just ask that they honor that commitment.  If it’s a contractor, we want them to treat the job just like they would any of their clients’ jobs.  Honor is a very key element to the success of Habitat for Humanity.

5.    What is required of your corporate partners?

First and foremost, we ask that you keep your word.  Commitment is most desired.  We also ask that partners and volunteers think about how they could influence changes in policy in the region, like how the number of vacants not available could become available; furthermore, get them thinking about how they could tell their 10 friends about Habitat for Humanity and its good works.  When one person contributes there’s this exponential effect that creates a legacy component.

6.    Is there a process involved with qualifying partners and volunteers?  If so, what does it entail?

We like to develop a relationship with a potential partner and listen to what they’re interested in and then we craft a role.  There’s no entry fee involved, however, the organization ultimately depends on the donations from the public and from companies.  A home costs about $125,000 to build, so it’s a part of the mission to financially support or otherwise we couldn’t host on site and fulfill our missions.

7.    Why would you encourage BPMs and businesses to get involved?

On the soft side, it creates loyalty among the companies because they want to be a part of something bigger than themselves.  It helps their employees build more relationships that are interpersonal and helps strengthen the bond to the company.  When you’re involved, there’s a substance of difference that is tangible and present.  When you leave at the end of the day or when you’re done serving on a committee, you have done something that endures.

As a non-profit we honor donations and just like a business, we are rigorous as to where we apply that money and those resources.  There’s a perception that non-profits don’t utilize resources well but we do so.  We do so much that we have built 262 homes and housed more than 800 people (over 400 being children) in homes in the Chesapeake region.

There’s an opportunity for building product manufacturers to get involved in committees, like the construction committee for example.  Members of this committee make decisions that help us determine the small and large items to include the home building.  For example, how do we help make a home more energy efficient?  There are many ways to get involved and apply your expertise!

To learn more about Habitat for Humanity and to get involved, visit http://www.habitat.org/default.aspx

To find out about opportunities in the Chesapeake region, visit http://www.chesapeakehfh.org/ or call 410-366-1250.