Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is a global nonprofit housing organization working to expand access to affordable housing. Operating in more than 70 countries, it partners with local communities to help people build or improve homes they can afford.

 

 

Rethinking affordability

Affordable housing is often measured only by the cost of construction. For Habitat for Humanity of York County, however, affordability also depends on what it costs to live in a home over time.

 

In partnership with VELUX, the organization is exploring how Living Places principles can support affordable homeownership through homes designed for health, comfort, energy efficiency and long-term livability. These ideas are now being applied in a pilot development in York County, South Carolina.

 

The goal is simple: to create homes that remain affordable long after a family moves in.

 

 

The Cost of Living in a Home

The true cost of housing extends beyond the initial build. Monthly utility bills, maintenance needs, indoor comfort and durability all shape what a home costs over its lifetime.

A lower purchase price can quickly lose its value if ongoing costs place pressure on household budgets. The York County project addresses this by considering long-term affordability from the earliest stages of design, with the aim of supporting both financial stability and everyday wellbeing.

 

The quality of a home shapes daily life in ways that are often overlooked. Daylight, fresh air, comfortable indoor temperatures and efficient energy use all influence how a home feels and performs.

These same qualities also affect monthly living costs. By applying the Living Places concept, the York County development aims to create homes that support comfort, health and resilience while remaining practical to build and maintain.

The project demonstrates how everyday housing decisions can lead to better long-term outcomes for homeowners.

 

Habitat for Humanity of York County brings decades of experience creating pathways to affordable homeownership. Through this partnership, that experience is combined with knowledge developed through Living Places projects in Europe and North America.

The collaboration creates an opportunity to adapt healthy housing principles to local needs, construction practices and community priorities. It also provides a platform for sharing lessons that can inform future affordable housing projects.