Rochester Area Habitat for Humanity (RAHH) includes a Family Partner Committee whose goal is to uplift families and communities, beyond the construction of houses, by providing a partner to new Habitat homeowners to help them become independent.

The committee welcomes new homeowner families into the Habitat family and provides them a "family partner," mutual support system, educational opportunities, and a forum for discussions pertaining to Habitat home ownership.  As RAHH grows and works with families through family partnering, this goal becomes families helping families.  Habitat homeowners can then become part of the Family Partner Committee.

The Family Partner is a vital part of Habitat's intention of working with people as well as constructing homes. The partner serves as a connection between Habitat and the family, providing guidance, support, and helping them enter the new world of home ownership.

Each relationship between a family partner and homeowner is different. We use our judgment regarding when to step in and when to encourage the homeowner to handle a problem. Our goal is to empower homeowners to become as independent as they are capable and to add new skills to their repertoire.  We try to do that without being patronizing or overpowering.

Our responsibilities begin when the family is assigned, shortly after selection, and continues until approximately six months after the family moves into its new home.

Throughout our relationship with each home buying family, we are a friend and advocate, a communication link between the family and Rochester Area Habitat and vice versa, and a source of encouragement and support during discouraging phases and uncertainty.

Before construction, we facilitate a visit to a nearby homeowner, or a house of like construction if desired, and help the family communicate their concerns about house design or renovation to the building committee.

During construction, we

1. Monitor and encourage Sweat Equity (250 hours/adult).  We can suggest alternatives to construction for completing the hours.
2. Help the family plan to save closing costs before occupancy.

3. Help the family understand Habitat policies and legal documents. Go over the letter of intent with them.
4. Keep in contact as needed during construction.
5. Introduce the family to their new neighborhood: schools, churches, stores, banks, garbage and recycling removal, etc.
6. Integrate the family into the planning process for their house dedication.
7. Help the family participate in the dedication ceremony.
8. Check to make sure the family has adequate plans for moving.
9. Accompany the family to the closing on the house, if possible.