What is Sweat Equity?
Sweat equity is the time and effort future Habitat homeowners invest in the homeownership program.
After being selected for the program, partner families complete sweat equity by working alongside Habitat staff and volunteers, helping on construction sites, volunteering at the ReStore, completing homebuyer education and participating in other approved activities.
Sweat equity is an important part of partnering with Habitat and helps future homeowners gain knowledge, skills and experience that can help prepare them for successful homeownership.
"I’m actually building my own house. Putting my own heart, working with my own hands, the sweat, blood, everything into it.” — Toyea, Habitat homeowner
How many sweat equity hours are required?
Partner families complete up to 400 hours of sweat equity. There are several ways to earn these hours:
- Construction: Help build your home or another Habitat home in East and Central Pasco County.
- Habitat ReStore: Volunteer at the Habitat ReStore in Zephyrhills.
- Homebuyer education: Complete required classes about mortgages, insurance, home maintenance, finances and home safety.
- Office and community activities: Help with approved administrative tasks, volunteer support or other Habitat activities.
- Other approved opportunities: Habitat may offer additional ways for household members to earn sweat equity hours.
Why does Habitat require sweat equity?
Sweat equity is about more than completing required hours. It gives future homeowners an opportunity to take an active role in the homeownership process while learning skills that can help them become successful homeowners.
By working alongside Habitat staff, volunteers and other future homeowners, partner families also experience firsthand the partnership and community that are at the heart of Habitat's mission.
“Sweat equity is a transformational experience for families and a cornerstone of our homeownership program,” says Sonia Lee, director of homeowner and mortgage services at Habitat for Humanity International. “The skills and knowledge gained through activities like volunteering on a build site or taking financial literacy classes help set new homeowners up for success long-term.”
