Please click on our Info tab to see our Habitat for Humanity overview, Mission Statement and Basic House Description Policy Statement.
Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with God and people everywhere, from all walks of life, to develop communities with God’s People in need by building and renovating houses so that there are decent houses in decent communities in which people can live and grow into all that God intended.
Basic House Description Policy Statement
Greater Fairfield Area Habitat for Humanity strives to build homes within the principles of “simple and decent.” This means that homes (whether renovated or new construction) are to be basic and adequate for the partner family size. GFAHFH follows HFH International’s board of director’s house design criteria.
GENERAL
The families are encouraged to participate in the house design and will be given a budget of $1000 to allow the family to personalize their home. A list of possible options will be provided. Additional options, not required by special circumstances such as a physical handicap, will not be provided or approved by GFAHFH during construction or until the family owns the home, EVEN IF THE FAMILY IS WILLING TO PAY for the options or can arrange for them to be done by others. The limit is intended to keep the home basic, the construction simple and the cost low.
Before construction begins, all the options must be selected to prevent retrofits and to prevent the construction manager (or others) from feeling pressured by the families to make changes and/or upgrades. Any exceptions to the policy will be approved by the Construction committee.
Labor or materials contributed by others are donations to GFAHFH, not to the families, and as such, they will be utilized as directed by GFAHFH through its Construction Manager and/or Construction committee. Work completed by anyone not approved to contribute sweat equity hours, per the sweat equity policy, will not be counted toward the family’s sweat equity hours.
If a new family is substituted for a family that has already made option selections, the originally selected options will stand if already installed or constructed. If a donation is made to GFAHFH, after options are selected by the family, and the donation can reduce the cost of the home but will impact the selected options, the board will reserve the right to insist on the use of the donation. The bard will discuss the situation with the family before the board makes a decision.
A NOTE ON DONATED MATERIALS: At first glance, donated building materials may look very appealing. However, it is important that the donation be evaluated by a knowledgeable Construction committee member both for quality and for appropriateness. Materials that do not meet our minimum quality specifications should not be accepted. Thank the donor, but explain why the materials are not appropriate.
Similarly, when donors wish to give items that go beyond our simple, decent specifications, we must explain why we cannot use the oversize tub, specialty light fixtures, bay window, etc. Not only may such items necessitate expensive alterations but they also create unrealistic expectations for the next Habitat family. If the item in question is useable, we may accept the item after explaining to the donor that the item will be resold by GFAHFH to raise funds.
THE HOUSE
The size of the house will be approved by the board of directors upon recommendation of the Family Selection committee. Each house shall have a living room, bedroom(s), kitchen/dining area, one bathroom and central heating.
The bathroom may be divided with a door between the toilet/bath/shower area and a vanity/sink area. Neither garages nor carports are provided. Size of houses shall not exceed the following limits unless special circumstances warrant increases and an increase in size is approved by the board of directors.
• Two-bedroom-900 square feet
• Three-bedroom-1,050 square feet
• Four-bedroom-1,150 square feet
TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION
Following is a list of the types of construction and components that normally will be used; however, alternative types of construction may be considered:
• Concrete slab on grade
• Wood frame (2x6)
• Gable roof
• Roof pitch shall be 4/12 or 5/12
• Shingles on roofs shall be fiberglass or asphalt
• Ridge vents shall be provided even if gable vents are used. Soffit vents shall be continuous under the eaves.
• Gutters with downspouts and splash block shall be provided.
INSULATION
• Walls shall be insulated to an R- 19 value using batt insulation.
• R-30 – 40 blown-in insulation in ceilings
• Vapor barrier will be provided on walls and ceiling.
DOORS
• Steel-clad exterior doors preferred.
• Storm doors are provided
• Dead bolt and entry lock on front and back doors.
• One key fits all locks.
• Pre-hung hollow core wood interior doors.
• The bathroom door shall be 2’8” wide or greater.
HEATING
• Ducted central heating.
• Gas Furnace 92-96 percent efficiency.
• One heat register per room. One air return in each room except kitchen and bath.
• A programmable thermostat (Alliant has a rebate)
WATER HEATING
• Electric or gas 40 gallon water heater for 2/3 bedroom house.
• Electric or gas 52 gallon water heater for 4/5 bedroom house.
KITCHEN
• The kitchen shall contain a refrigerator/freezer of 18 cubic feet. A 30-inch range will be installed. Appliances shall be white or almond.
• A 30” vented range hood will be provided.
• Base cabinets and wall cabinets shall be installed to provide the maximum storage allowed within the kitchen area.
• Counter tops shall be formica-type.
• The kitchen sink shall be stainless steel.
• The kitchen shall be designed to allow wheelchair maneuverability.
BATHROOM
• One bathroom shall be built with each home. The bathroom may be constructed with a door between the toilet/bath/shower area and vanity/sink area. A separate door may close off the vanity area from the hallway.
• The bathroom area shall include a standard commode and a tub/shower with a shower rod. The shower should include a soap dish and towel holder. The outer area shall include a vanity cabinet with lavatory 4” maximum length, wall mirror and medicine cabinet. Wall fixtures shall be provided including a soap dish, towel bar holder and toilet paper holder.
• The walls of the tub/shower area shall be a single piece unit and wall blocking shall be provided for future grab bars.
• Vented ceiling fan.
• Linen closet.
WASHER/DRYER SPACE
• An area shall be provided for installation of a clothes washer and dryer. Water supply and drain plumbing shall be provided for the washer. Appropriate electrical receptacles shall be provided for both appliances. A horizontal duct outside dryer vent is preferred. The appliances are not provided.
INTERIOR WALLS
Interior wall surfaces shall be finished drywall painted with semi-gloss or satin latex paint in a white color. Ceilings shall be sprayed with a popcorn finish or skip trowel. Halls shall be at least 3’4” wide from frame to frame.
EXTERIOR WALLS
• Exterior wall surfaces shall be vinyl. Soffits and fascia boards shall be aluminum.
• Air barrier (Tyvek) will cover exterior walls before siding is put up.
WINDOW COVERINGS
• Mini blinds are provided for bedrooms
• The family provides the other window coverings.
FLOORING
Standard vinyl, laminate or carpet flooring shall be provided throughout the house.
VEHCHILE PARKING
Off street parking for one car
ENTRANCE
• An overhang shall be constructed over the front door.
• Appropriate stairs and/or small deck with stairs will be provided. If two doors one deck will be 8x4 and one 4x4.
• If more than two steps, a handrail will be proved.
• Walkway, 36” wide from the sidewalk or driveway will be proved to the front door.
FENCES
Fences are normally not provided. Under special circumstances this may be considered but only after board approval.
ELECTRICAL SUPPLY
• An electrical panel with 200-ampere capacity shall be provided.
• Wiring shall be provided for at least two telephone jacks; one jack in the living room OR kitchen and one in the master bedroom.
• Electrical outlets will be at least 18 inches above the floor
• Electrical switches and thermostats, at most, 42 inches above the floor.
• One TV jack in the living room.
• One exterior outlet.
CLOSETS
One shelf and clothes rod shall be provided in each closet. No closet lights.
LIGHTING
Ceiling light fixtures for incandescent light shall be provided in the bedrooms. A fluorescent light fixture shall be provided in the kitchen. To qualify for the Alliant New Home Construction Rebate, three other fluorescent light fixtures shall also be installed in the hallway, and two bedrooms. Incandescent fixtures shall be installed in the bathroom. The porches or entrance areas shall have light fixtures.
WATER SUPPLY
In addition to the normal plumbing inside the house, one hose bib shall be provided.
ATTIC
Attic access shall be provided
LANDSCAPING
• Shrubs and plants shall be provided at the front of the house. One tree shall be provided. Grass seed shall be provided.
• Wooded lots shall be cleared only to the extent necessary for the house, driveway and septic tank (if outside city limits). Care shall be taken to leave the maximum of trees and other native vegetation. A goal is leave as much of the lot as possible in natural vegetation.
• A small shed (approximately 8 X 10) shall be provided to house the lawnmower and tools and to keep the outdoor “clutter” to a minimum.
EXCLUSIONS
Certain features and amenities must be excluded from GFAHFH homes. These exclusions do not detract from the basic livability of the houses. They are made in order to share the limited monetary resources with the next Habitat family and to provide as much basic housing as possible.
Excluded features include:
• Freezer
• Dishwasher
• Disposal
• Air-conditioning
• Washer
• Dryer
• Paneling
• Window Shutters
• Fences
• Garages/Carports
EXCEPTIONS TO CRITERIA
Criteria set down in this document are intended to define the basic GFAHFH house. Exceptions will be allowed for the following reasons:
1. Materials or equipment of equal or higher quality are donated and no financial impact on GFAHFH and the prospective owner.
2. Safety or municipal codes require changes.
3. The selected family has special need related to health or well being.
4. Other reasons approved by the board of directors.
