Newsletters

Views from the Porch is the affiliate’s newsletter that shares with you information and stories on the success of building homeownership for our families, and the impact this effort has on the revitalization of communities here in Essex County.

We greatly appreciate the effort of our board members, dedicated volunteers, Habitat families, and community supporters who help us deliver on our mission of building strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. We encourage you to get involved in the many projects, events, and volunteer opportunities we have.

Views from the Porch is printed once a year and mailed to our subscribers. It is also published several times a year in electronic format. Please complete the form to receive our emailed or hard copied editions.

Latest Views from the Porch:

Here is a sampling of stories from editions of Views from the Porch…

Paving our way into every community – Merrimack Valley Habitat for Humanity (MVHH) has primarily built in the communities of Lawrence, Methuen and Haverhill from its inception. As we have grown as an organization, so has our reach of service. MVHH is targeted to build in 22 communities within the Merrimack Valley and New Hampshire, with North Reading, Massachusetts being our most southern community and Atkinson, New Hampshire our most northern. “We originally served where the need was greatest and our base of support had originated,” said Executive Director Randy Larson. The founders of Merrimack Valley Habitat for Humanity resided in Andover, Methuen, and Lawrence. To read the full story – see the 2017 Views from the Porch here.

100 Parker Street brings Strength, Stability and Self-Reliance to 10 Habitat Families – Families who pay more than 30 percent of their income for housing are considered cost burdened and may have difficulty affording necessities such as food, clothing, transportation and medical care. An estimated 12 million renter and homeowner households now pay more than 50 percent of their annual incomes for housing. A family with one full-time worker earning the minimum wage cannot afford the local fair-market rent for a two-bedroom apartment anywhere in the United States. (October 6, 2016 HUD.GOV) To read the full story – see the 2016 Views from the Porch here. 

Celebrating 30 years of building success has taken shape in so many ways… engaging
communities; developing leadership; collaboration with businesses, municipalities, and volunteers, and most importantly, supporting our families in achieving a piece of the American Dream. With our 81st home almost completed, and 11 homes rehabbed – Merrimack Valley Habitat for Humanity tells an inspiring 30 year story of transformation. To read the full story – see the 2015 30 Years of Building – Views from the Porch here.