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Sussex County Habitat for Humanity is a Christian organization and welcomes volunteers from all faiths who are committed to Habitat's goal of eliminating poverty housing.
About Us

Habitats Mission: Affordable Housing

Sussex County Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit Christian housing ministry committed to building simple, decent, and affordable homes in partnership with low-income families regardless of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or sources of income.

More than 12 million children – one in six – are living in poverty in the United States. Poverty is a severe threat to children’s health, growth, and potential. The First Annual Report (“Who Can Afford to Live in Delaware?”), issued by the Delaware Housing Coalition in May 2007, states “…As of 2000, there were an estimated 12,183 substandard housing units in Delaware…and Sussex County is the most difficult area in which to purchase affordable housing.  In order to afford a home at the median purchase price of $270,000, a household median income of $54,200 is required.  The median annual wage in Sussex County is $24,066.”

With the contributions of volunteers, donors, and sponsors, Habitat is able to partner with families making 25 to 60 percent of the area's median income.  These partner families pay a no-profit, no-interest mortgage to Habitat.  The homeowners’ mortgage payments then go into Habitat’s "Fund for Humanity" that allows building more houses with more families in the future.  Additionally, partner families pay closing costs and contribute 250 "sweat equity hours" - time spent building their own home or other Habitat homes - per adult in the household.  Partner families not only earn a new home, but also contribute to the larger cause of decent and affordable homes for our area's families in need.  

Since 1991, through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, the Georgetown affiliate has built 48 homes in Sussex County.  Seventy adults and 127 children live in Habitat homes.  

The Habitat affiliate’s long-range plans include building a total of 19 homes in Concord Village in Seaford and several townhouses in Laurel, Delaware.  With your help, Sussex County Habitat for Humanity will build homes with eight families this year.  

Sussex County Habitat for Humanity Staff

Kevin Gilmore
Executive Director

Beth Fitton
Resource Development Officer

Jeffrey Niethammer
Construction Manager

Nancy Greene
Programs Manager

Kerry Davies
Bookkeeper

Denise Jackson
ReStore Manager

Liz Barron
Volunteer Coordinator, AmeriCorps '10

Paul Becker
ReStore Organizational Development Coordinator, AmeriCorps '10

Charlene Phillips
Family Services Coordinator, AmeriCorps '10

Sara Pletcher
Marketing & Design Coordinator, AmeriCorps '10

Tommy Williams
Youth Programs Coordinator, AmeriCorps '10

Pete High
Bryon Houghton
Marcus Johnson
Kelly Jo Keefe
Eric Pickell
AmeriCorps '10 Construction Crew

Board of Directors

Ralph W. Peters, President
The need for safe, affordable housing for low and moderate income families in Sussex County is clear.  Habitat makes a real difference, you can see it in the joy on the faces of the partner families at every settlement and every dedication.  And by working with and for Habitat, I feel that, somehow, I might be making a difference too, maybe making Sussex County a little bit better, and that's important to me.
Jeff Joseph, Vice President
Working in the real estate development industry, with my church and various charities, I am constantly reminded about how much hardship there still is today around things that many people take for granted, like food and shelter.  Habitat for Humanity is one of the few organizations on earth that is making a real difference in this community, our country and around the world.   Habitat for Humanity also enables anyone, regardless of skill set, background or economic condition, to have a positive and lasting impact on the lives of others.  I truly believe that Habitat staff and volunteers are doing God's work.  I am honored to be able to serve in such an organization.
Jon Lokken, Treasurer

As a new Board member I am happy to be of some service to SCHFH and its important mission of providing a “hands-up” to hard working families in Sussex County.  This mission is accomplished through a wonderful collection of enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers, professionals, local businesses and partner families and I am proud to be associated with them.
Richard Taylor, Secretary
I consider it an honor and privilege to be involved with Sussex County Habitat for Humanity. Being a part of an organization that makes such a profound difference in the lives of families is a blessing that I will always cherish.
Amy Walls, Assistant Secretary
Working with Habitat is incredibly rewarding. I find great joy in working to create safe, decent and affordable homes for families to grow and prosper. I would encourage anyone who is able, to give some of their time and energy to a cause that will impact the lives of people in need. Sussex County Habitat for Humanity is an amazing organization that I am proud to be a part of.
Kay Herrman, Resource Development
Volunteering for Habitat for Humanity has been the most rewarding experience of my life.  It is very humbling to see the joy and happiness brought into the lives of our partner families when they move into their new homes.  The children are our future and providing an opportunity for them to live and learn in a safe environment is especially meaningful.
Myron Edwards

I am honored to serve on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity. HFH is truly an extraordinary non-profit organization whose leadership and volunteers will not wane from their commitment to provide affordable housing to fervent partner families. I am hopeful that my contribution to the board will make a positive impact towards their mission of HOPE - one family at a time.
Tony Etze
Serving as a member of the Habitat Board of Directors is not just about giving back. It's about building relationships with partner families and providing them with the opportunity to improve their lives.  It's about rebuilding communities. It's about volunteers working together for one goal - to build a house for a deserving family. I also serve as Chairman of the Construction Committee and house leader.  Habitat is not just about building a house.  It is about building a home. I am proud to be part of this process.
Ted Fischer
This is my first experience in working with a non-profit organization.  It’s very different from the corporate world where I spent almost 30 years…no big sticks or hard deadlines, just an amazing amount of goodwill and earnest drive to work together to get something very important done and done well.  It’s a great experience!
Lisa F. Fitzgerald
I have enjoyed serving on the Board because it has allowed me to impact the most important decisions of the affiliate. This includes helping select families as well as learning how to grow responsibly, make fiscally appropriate decisions, be good stewards of our resources, engage the local media, enlist new volunteers, and invigorate the community. In this way, we are furthering the mission of helping God's people in need find sustainable housing and improve their lives, one household at a time. I have also enjoyed the company of the people involved in SCHFH--they truly are like family!
Sharon Gray
I am proud to be a new member of Sussex County Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors and look forward to making a difference in the community by helping families find happiness by building an affordable home.  We are all on this journey of life together, so why not help pave the way to make someone’s dream of owing a home come true and lighten the load along the way.
Vince Robertson
I enjoy being on the Board of Sussex County Habitat for Humanity for many reasons.  Foremost among them is the mission of Habitat to provide quality housing to low-income Sussex County families through a “hand-up” instead of a “hand-out”.  As an attorney, I hope that I also bring a unique and helpful perspective to the various issues that the Board must address as the County and organization evolve.
Jo Ann Zorb
SCHFH is an incredible organization of devoted volunteers and staff providing an opportunity to realize the dream of homeownership for families that need a “hand-up” and are willing to participate in the steps to achieve these goals.  I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve this group and play a part in positively impacting the need for decent affordable housing in Sussex County.

Habitat has built more than 200,000 houses around the world, providing more than 1,000,000 people in more than 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter.



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