Tracy Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is a program that selects low-income families who otherwise would not be able to afford a home, and provides them with opportunity and access for home ownership. Each family selected must work on the actual construction of their home. Following construction and occupancy, the family pays an affordable amount in monthly payments to assist in the cost of buying the property and materials used in construction. Families are encouraged after the completion of their own homes to become involved in the construction of the homes of other families.

The Tracy Habitat for Humanity Steering Committee is an affiliate of the San Joaquin County Habitat for Humanity Board. Tracy Habitat for Humanity is an active, successful group responsible for family selection, site selection, construction work, fund-raising, and helping the selected family prepare both for their participation in the construction of their home, and for home ownership.

Members of Tracy's Habitat for Humanity committee are well known in the community and are professional individuals who bring an array of resources, skills and expertise to this community effort. Through the years, the Tracy Habitat for Humanity committee has established a positive relationship with local developers, and created partnerships with various organizations and churches in Tracy. Businesses in Tracy have been especially supportive. The City of Tracy has been consistently helpful through its Community Development Block Grant program.

Having previously completed two homes for Tracy families, the Tracy Habitat for Humanity is currently working on its third house and will follow that completion by immediately beginning work on its fourth house which is planned at the same location.

Evelyn Tolbert has been involved and active with the Tracy Habitat for Humanity from its beginning and has participated in every aspect of the process accepting and reviewing applications, interviewing applicants, and visiting families to review their current living conditions. Evelyn has served as a Volunteer Coordinator for the Tracy Habitat for Humanity chapter and will continue to work with the Habitat for Humanity program, as she feels that the lack of affordable housing in Tracy must be addressed in a myriad of ways. Evelyn is the author of a pictorial book entitled "Winter Barns of Tracy" which was copyrighted in 2006 and donated to Habitat for Humanity. All proceeds from sales go to the local Tracy Habitat for Humanity organization.