Habitat For Humanity Of Smith County
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About Habitat For Humanity Of Smith County
In Tyler and across Smith County, Habitat for Humanity helps local families buy safe, affordable homes through sweat equity and zero-interest mortgages. It also repairs homes for seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and other low-income homeowners, addressing essentials like roofs, plumbing, floors, and accessibility. Even its ReStore supports that work, keeping about 200 tons of materials out of landfills each year while directing proceeds to its housing mission.
This local affiliate asks families to be partners in building their homes, then sells those homes at cost with affordable, zero-interest mortgage financing. Its housing work also reaches people who already own their homes, while the ReStore turns donated and salvaged materials into support for future repairs and homeownership.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Homeownership Program
Partners with low-income working families to build and purchase safe, affordable homes. Families contribute sweat equity, work alongside volunteers, and purchase homes at cost with an affordable, zero-interest mortgage.
Critical Repairs
Provides critical home repairs and accessibility modifications for low-income seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and other low-income homeowners. Repairs may include roofs, plumbing, foundation cracks, unstable floors, doors and windows, water heaters, HVAC systems, and accessibility improvements.
ReHabitat
A home repair program for low-income senior homeowners that repairs damaged homes.
A Brush With Kindness
Paints the exteriors of homes to help revitalize neighborhoods.
Habitat ReStore
Operates a regional home improvement center selling donated new and gently used building materials, fixtures, furniture, appliances, and other home improvement products to the general public.
ReStore Deconstruction and Home Recycling Service
Salvages usable building materials, fixtures, appliances, and other products from residential and commercial remodeling or demolition projects for resale through the ReStore.
About this work
Mission
Habitat for Humanity of Smith County partners with local families and the community to build, renovate, and preserve decent, affordable housing. It seeks to put God’s love into action by helping people build homes, communities, and hope.
Who they serve
Low-income working families seeking affordable homeownership, along with low-income seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and other low-income homeowners needing critical repairs. Homeownership applicants must have lived or worked in Smith County for at least one year and meet stated income, housing-need, ability-to-pay, and willingness-to-partner requirements.
Their impact
- Two houses were completed and sold from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, and four houses were in progress at the end of that period.
- The organization reported completing 150 critical repair projects locally in the prior year.
- The organization reported completing more than 1,300 critical repairs in East Texas to date.
- By 2019, the organization reported building 110 homes and completing more than 900 critical repairs for seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities.
- The Critical Repairs program made repairs on 67 homes and served 108 individuals by the end of 2010.
- The ReStore keeps about 200 tons of materials out of landfills each year through recycling and repurposing.
How your donation helps
- Construction of safe, affordable homes for families in Smith County.
- Critical home repairs and accessibility modifications for qualifying homeowners.
- Construction materials, tools, safety gear, and volunteer support for home builds.
- Materials and work associated with foundations, plumbing, electrical systems, HVAC, drywall, paint, flooring, cabinets, and fixtures.
- Support for the ReStore, whose proceeds support the organization’s housing mission.
Need help?
How someone in need can access Habitat For Humanity Of Smith County’s services.
For the Homeownership Program, applicants can call Family Services at 903-595-6630, extension 115, to learn about eligibility and apply when applications are being accepted. Applicants must demonstrate housing need, meet income and ability-to-pay requirements, have lived or worked in Smith County for at least one year, and complete at least 300 hours of sweat equity. For Critical Repairs, homeowners should contact 903-595-6630 or criticalrepairs@smithcountyhabitat.org. Applicants must own and occupy their home full-time, meet property-tax requirements, demonstrate repair and financial need, and generally have income below 80% of Annual Median Income, depending on grant qualifications.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
“I can finally get in and out of my home safely again.”, Critical Repairs homeowner
“The ramp Habitat built has made all the difference. Before, I was afraid of falling every time I left the house. Now, I can go to doctor’s appointments and visit neighbors with confidence.”, Critical Repairs homeowner
“They gave me back my peace of mind.”, Critical Repairs homeowner
“It’s more than repairs—it’s hope.”, Critical Repairs homeowner
“From the moment I sat down with Habitat’s staff, I felt like I was in good hands. … I will forever be indebted to Habitat for Humanity of Smith County for the work they did to build a forever home for my family for generations to come.”, Habitat homeowner
Grant support
$720,912 from 8 funders · through 2024 (IRS 990 records).
- CENTERPOINT ENERGY FOUNDATION INC — $20,000 (2024)GENERAL DONATION
- UNITED WAY OF SMITH COUNTY — $14,396 (2024)PROVIDES LOW-INCOME HOUSING
- EAST TEXAS COMMUNITIES FOUNDATION — $13,684 (2024)Housing, Shelter
- THE LOUIS AND PEACHES OWEN — $10,000 (2024)SOCIAL ASSISTANCE
- EAST TEXAS COMMUNITIES FOUNDATION — $40,831 (2023)Housing, Shelter
- UNITED WAY OF SMITH COUNTY — $37,935 (2023)PROVIDES LOW-INCOME HOUSING
- THE LOUIS AND PEACHES OWEN — $10,000 (2023)SOCIAL ASSISTANCE
- CENTERPOINT ENERGY FOUNDATION INC — $5,000 (2023)GENERAL DONATION
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Habitat For Humanity Of Smith County has shared.
Current needs
- Financial gifts to support construction of new homes in Smith County.
- Business, church, civic organization, and foundation sponsorships for home construction.
- In-kind donations of building materials, skilled labor, and volunteer teams.
- Donations of usable home improvement products and building materials for the ReStore.
- Qualified contractors for grant-funded home repair projects.
Volunteer opportunities
- Volunteer on new home construction projects.
- Volunteer on critical home repair projects.
- Assist shoppers and donors at the Habitat ReStore.
- Support fundraising, event planning, hospitality, advocacy, and office activities.
- Organize or join church, business, civic, or community volunteer groups.
- Serve on Habitat committees related to land acquisition, homeowner selection, family partnerships, and church support.
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
Are Habitat homes given away?
No. Habitat builds homes with people in need and sells them with an affordable mortgage loan. Homeowners take part in the construction process and complete the required sweat equity.
What does a Habitat homeowner contribute to the partnership?
Applicants who qualify for the Homeownership Program must complete at least 300 hours of sweat equity. That work may take place on their own home, other Habitat homes, in required classes, or at the ReStore.
What kinds of repairs can the Critical Repairs program provide?
Repairs may include roofs, plumbing, foundation cracks, unstable floors, energy-efficient doors and windows, hot water tanks, HVAC systems, and accessibility improvements.
Who may qualify for Critical Repairs?
The program serves seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and other low-income people who own and occupy their homes. Applicants must meet property, repair-need, and financial-need requirements.
What happens to materials donated to the ReStore deconstruction service?
Usable materials and fixtures are removed from remodeling or demolition projects and brought to the ReStore. They are reassembled or tested when needed, then sold to the public, with proceeds supporting Habitat’s housing mission.
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