Habitat for Humanity East Bay

Benefits and Information

AmeriCorps members contribute a year of service and in return receive a modest living stipend, health insurance, an education award, job training, and personal and professional growth opportunities. You will leave your year of service not only with new transferable skills, but also with a sense of community that comes with no other employment opportunity.

Living Allowance

AmeriCorps members receive a living allowance awarded every other week totaling $11,400, before taxes, for the program term.

Benefits

AmeriCorps members receive health and dental insurance, are eligible for childcare, and may defer payments of certain federal student loans. In addition, an educational award of $4,725 (before taxes) is granted upon completion of the AmeriCorps term. A partial educational award will not be issued if a member leaves his term of service early. The award can be used to pay off present educational loans or can be used to pay for future schooling. (The award can be used up to seven years after the member's final date of service). Please see the AmeriCorps website for further information and restrictions regarding benefits.

Housing

To offset the expensive costs of housing in the Bay Area, HEB provides an additional housing stipend each month of $200, paid directly to your landlord. Members are responsible for securing their own housing.

Transportation

The Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps program does not cover relocation costs, and members are responsible for arriving to the Bay Area. Members are also responsible for the transportation costs of their regular commute during the program term. It is strongly recommended that members have a vehicle for transportation.

Start Date and Commitment Timeline

Our AmeriCorps program requires a full-time commitment for an 11-month program term, beginning each year around Labor Day. Members are required to serve 1,700 hours of service during their program term.

Area Information

Habitat East Bay is located at the heart of one of the world's most beautiful urban environments, the San Francisco Bay Area. The region is rich in cultural and ethnic diversity. Oakland is an ideal location to take advantage of all the area has to offer, including both urban activities and natural retreats. The climate is temperate with warm summers and cool winters. Public transportation is accessible, although a car or bike is strongly recommended.

Applying

Please check back in during Spring 2010 for application instructions for the 2010-2011 program term.