Highland Lakes Habitat for Humanity Area Information

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Area Information

Coverage Area

The Highland Lakes Habitat For Humanity organization is authorized to build homes in the following area.

Our coverage area begins in Marble Falls. Take 281 to Burnet, then Hwy 29 toward Llano as far as Hwy 71. Take 71 South to Spicewood and back north on Hwy 71 to Hwy 281 and then back to Marble Falls. Everything that falls within this described area is included in the coverage area for our Affiliate.

Coverage Area

Housing Data

A family of five (5) huddles in a bitterly cold shack in the Mississippi Delta. Nearly 60 percent of their small income is consumed by rent.

Another family cringes for protection from bullets fired near their run-down housing project.

In India, two families crowd into a one-room hut, while an open sewage ditch runs by their door.

The Highland Lakes Habitat For Humanity and Habitat for Humanity International believes these conditions are unacceptable. We believe that God's love, combined with prayer and action, can and will eliminate these tragedies

Since 1976, Habitat International has built more than 175, 000 houses, providing shelter for nearly 900,000 people worldwide. Now at work in 100 countries, we are building a house every 26 minutes. By 2005, Habitat houses will be sheltering 1 million people

Highland Lakes Habitat For Humanity in the past eleven years has built nine homes and has established a goal to build thirty-three homes over the next eleven years. There are currently over 250 families waiting for housing through the Marble Falls Housing Authority and twenty families on the Habitat waiting list.

Habitat houses are purchased by the homeowner families. Three factors make the houses affordable to low-income people worldwide:

Houses are sold at no profit, with no interest charged on the mortgage
Homeowners and volunteers build the houses under trained supervision
Individuals, corporations, faith groups and others provide financial support

Homeowner families are chosen according to their need; their ability to repay the no-profit, no-interest mortgage; and their willingness to work in partnership with Habitat. Habitat for Humanity does not discriminate according to race, religion or ethnic group. The houses are sold to those in need -our partner families-at no profit and with no interest charged.

The families' mortgage payments go into a revolving Fund for Humanity to finance more houses. In addition to a down payment, homeowners contribute hundreds of hours of their own labor-sweat equity-to build their house and the houses of others

For those interested in applying for a Habitat home click here.

A Habitat Story

The Habitat Program Taught Me About Faith'

Cynthia Winn said that even when she was on the streets, the Lord was providing for her. She just didn't know it. Now she offers praises to God for blessing her in so many ways-including with a Habitat for Humanity house.

"No one ever plans to end up on the streets, but that is what happened to me," said Winn. "I only planned to be in a homeless shelter temporarily, but I ended up staying there three years. I couldn't find my niche in life, and the streets are addicting.

"Then I got pregnant. I knew I couldn't care for a child, and I didn't want to change my life, so my mother in Texas has raised my son."
When Winn became pregnant a second time, however, she said her mother told her she needed to grow up and be a mom. "I was very poor, but I knew I had to get off the streets, so I moved into some raggedy apartments because of my child. When you decide to make a big change, you can't be afraid. You have to take the first step."

A friend at work told Winn about Habitat, but she admits that she was turned off with the idea of hammering and working to build her own house. "I just didn't want to do that," she said. "Plus, I knew my credit was not good and I didn't think I would ever have anything."
However, she decided to apply for a home and was amazed at the reception she received from the staff and supporters at the Habitat for Humanity affiliate in Columbia, S.C. "They gave me a second chance," she said, "and that is something I wanted so badly."
When Habitat representatives came to her house for a home visit, they prayed with her. "I had never gone to church," said Winn, "but the people at Habitat talked to me about faith from the beginning. They went out of their way to help me and made me feel so special. My heart just grew. The Habitat program taught me about faith.

"Beforehand, I didn't trust anyone, but when I realized that this was for real and I was really going to have a house, I was overwhelmed. No longer was I going to have to live in substandard housing with a leaking faucet. This was more than I could ever imagine."

Habitat supporters transported Winn to meetings and helped her get through the process of being approved for a home. "I knew this was more than just a program," she said. "The people really cared about me.

"I began some counseling and started blossoming. I also started going to church and soon was baptized. It was so wonderful. The Lord had a hand in all this and accepted me with open arms."

Winn's journey has not been without struggle, however. Her abusive boyfriend did not like her new confidence and strength. "It was difficult, but I had to get away from him," said Winn. "You cannot continue to do the things that you know are not good for you and expect God to bless you."

Winn also faced health struggles. During the time she was trying to accumulate sweat equity hours, she discovered that she was diabetic and spent several days in the hospital. "I was on my deathbed," she said. Again, however, her Habitat friends helped her.

Though she is raising her youngest son, Winn also must struggle with what is best for her seven-year-old child, whom her parents have raised. "I have to live with the consequences of a choice I made seven years ago and think about my son. I will have to take it one day at the time. I pray that I will not mess up."

Winn's house was funded and built by a multi-faith coalition of churches. "I have met so many people-Christians, Jews and people in the Muslim community. It is so wonderful to have the children of Abraham all doing the Lord's work.

"They were not out there slaving in the heat for Cynthia," she said. "They were doing it for the glory of God." Winn said she feels like a celebrity and is so grateful to all those who have helped her so much. "I get on my knees and thank God," she said. "I know God has blessed me so much. Go for your blessing. God will deliver you."

What are Habitat Houses like?

Habitat for Humanity Houses: Simple, Decent, Affordable

Whether in the United States, Canada or in more than 80 other countries around the world, Habitat for Humanity houses are built according to the same guiding principles. Habitat houses are:

Simple. Habitat houses are modestly sized -- large enough for the homeowner family's needs, but small enough to keep construction and maintenance costs to a minimum.
Decent. Habitat uses quality, locally available building materials. Trained staffs supervise Habitat house construction and educate volunteers and partner families. House designs reflect the local climate and culture.
Affordable. The labor of volunteers and partner families, efficient building methods, modest house sizes and a no-profit, no-interest loan make it affordable for low-income people around the world to purchase a Habitat for Humanity house.

Habitat Houses in North America

Habitat houses in the United States and Canada generally are built using wood frame construction, with Gypsum board interior walls, vinyl siding and asphalt shingle roofs. Some affiliates also use proven alternative building materials such as adobe or straw bale construction.

U.S. and Canadian Habitat houses are modestly sized by North American standards -- for example, a 3-bedroom Habitat house may have no more than 1,050 square feet of living space according to HFHI guidelines.

Habitat for Humanity International's commitment to build with people in need readily extends to those with disabilities. HFHI's board of directors has endorsed the concept that all Habitat houses should incorporate basic accessible design features, such as a zero-step entrance and wide passage doors and hallways. Houses built in partnership with families with disabilities include additional accessibility features.