Neighborhood Family Partner

The Neighborhood Family Partner (NFP) Program matches volunteers with Habitat families to help create a welcoming climate for homebuyers committed to becoming successful homeowners and engaged citizens in their community.

Responsibilities:

Homebuyer Stage:  Meet the Habitat family before they move in to their home.  This can be done at a class at Habitat, at the family dedication, or by arranging to get together in the community. 

First Year Homeowner Stage:  NFPs commit to visit the family four times to complete a questionnaire and maintenance reminder checklist provided by Habitat.  NFPs are encouraged to build a relationship by inviting the family to do something outside of the home visits.  Some volunteers have attended a community event together, or assisted the family during the Habitat landscaping day. 

Long Term Stage:  The structured program ends after the first year, but NFPs are encouraged to stay in touch with the family.  NFPs are asked to continue to be a resource for homeownership and community connections. 

Volunteer Impact:

NFPs are essential in extending welcome to Habitat families especially during their first year of homeownership.  NFPs are also helpful in assisting Habitat homeowners with an understanding of home maintenance and settling into their new community.  NFPs will be rewarded by observing the Habitat family enjoying their new home and community.  NFPs will also form a relationship that will allow for mutual sharing and learning.

Skill Qualifications:

• A member of a community in which Habitat is building new homes
• Ability to engage families in conversation
• An understanding of basic home maintenance
• Ability to connect people to community resources
• A desire to learn from a new neighbor
• An appreciation for people from a variety of cultures  

Training & Supervision:

Training will be provided by the Twin Cities Habitat Homeowner Support Associate on program specifics,  as well as the related topics of healthy relationships/boundaries, cultural awareness, and living in an association.   Interviews are conducted for this position, and background checks are required.