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Family Profile

The Sousa Family

Paul and Jen Sousa are recovering addicts.  Jen had grown up with violin lessons, softball games, and girl scouts.  Paul never made it to high school; he spent his young life in and out of emergency housing and camping along the AmericanRiver.  He spent over 10 years behind bars.  Jen stole from her family and even after the birth of her daughter, Alannah, could not get clean.  However, in the fall of 2008, they both found themselves and each other at a Narcotics Anonymous Meeting.  Paul had been clean for a year, but this was only the beginning of Jen’s road to recovery.  They fell in love, were married a year later, and had a son named Jayce.

 

In the fall of 2009, a friend and current Sacramento Habitat for Humanity homeowner introduced the Sousa’s to SHfH.  Jen and Paul refused to be discouraged when they were informed that they were under the income requirements and had severe credit issues to correct.  Undaunted, Jen and Paul said, “Don’t give up on us, we’ll be back.”  With true perseverance and consulting with NeighborWorks, they were approved nearly a year later. 

 

The transition to their new home has been beyond their wildest dreams.  Paul works as a drug and alcohol counselor at CORE Medical Clinic and is working towards his degree at AmericanRiverCollege.  Jen recently graduated from Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Academy and is now working at Ruth’s Chris Steak House as a pastry chef.  Jen explained that, “Habitat is the perfect fit for us.  Just as in recovery, it requires hard work (literally), an emotional and mental commitment, and a system of support.  Filling our “Sweat Equity” hours is especially enjoyable when we get to work on site together with all the great volunteers.” 

 

The Sousa’s SHfH home is the second SHRA remodeled home.  It is a far cry from the Sousa’s cramped apartment and Paul’s memories of living on the river banks.  He explains, “The loneliness I once felt so intimately dies a little more each day.”

Criteria for Prospective Homebuyers

The three criteria used to select prospective homeowners are:

  • The applicant must have a need for adequate shelter.  Families must meet at least one fo the following conditions:
    • Substandard (mold, lacks electricity, need major repairs, etc.)
    • Overcrowded
    • Paying too much for rent (more than 50% of their gross income on housing)
  • The applicant must be willing to partner with Sacramento Habitat for Humanity.  Once selected, they must also agree to put in 500 hours of sweat equity building their own house and other Habitat houses. 
  • The applicant must have the ability to pay for the house.  Sacramento Habitat for Humanity selects families that earn between 30% - 60% of the area median income of Sacramento County.  A typical mortgage is about 30% of the homeowner's gross income. 

Applicant's family income should fall within the following "low income" range as adjusted per family size.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Household

% of Annual Gross Income

For Sacramento County
   

 

SIZE

AT LEAST

NOT MORE THAN
 

 

 

3

$20,600

$41,100

4

$22,850

$45,700

5

$24,700

$49,350
6

$26,550

$53,900

7

$28,350

$56,650

8

$30,200

$60,300

Additional Basic Eligibility Requirements:

  • Residence in Sacramento County for at least one year or work history in Sacramento County for at least one year.
  • Applicant(s) must be legal permanent resident(s) or citizen(s) of the US at the time of the application.

Selections are made in compliance with the Federal Credit Equal Opportunity Act and on an impartial and non-discriminatory basis.  Race, color, national origin, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, age, religion, and disability play no part in the choice.

If you would like to become a Sacramento Habitat for Humanity homeowner, please contact us. 

All interested families must first attend a Family Orientation.

To register for a family orientation and receive the dates and locations for upcoming orientations, please contact:

Ashley Tully

Director of Family Services

(916) 440-1215 xt. 1111

familyservices@shfh.org

A reservation is required for your attendance.  Please be prepared to provide the following information:

  • Name
  • Phone Number
  • Email Address
  • Physical Address
  • Number of Attendees

 

Application Process

All interested families must first attend a Family Homeowner Orientation.

Orientations are held the 1st Saturday and the 3rd Monday of each month.

 

2012 Orientation Schedule

Monday Evenings 5:30-6:30pm            Saturday Mornings: 10:00-11:00am

August 20th                                                  August 4th    

September 17th                                             October 6th      

October 15th                                               November 3rd

                                                                 December 1st

Orientation Location:  Sacramento Habitat for Humanity Offices

819 North 10th Street, Sacramento CA