What is
Habitat for Humanity?
HFHI was founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller along with his wife Linda. Habitat for
Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. HLHFH seeks to eliminate
poverty housing and homelessness from our community, and to make decent shelter a matter
of conscience and action.Habitat invites
people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership
with families in need.
How does it work?
Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and
rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner (partner) families.
Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit, financed with affordable,
no-interest loans. The homeowners' monthly mortgage payments are used to build still more
Habitat houses.
Habitat is not a giveaway program. In addition to a
down payment and the monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of
their own labor -- sweat equity -- into building their Habitat house and the houses of
others.
What does a Habitat house cost?
Throughout the world, the cost of houses varies from as little as $800 in some developing
countries to an average of $46,600 in the United States.
Habitat houses are affordable for low-income
families because there is no profit included in the sale price and no interest charged on
the mortgage. Mortgage length varies from seven to 30 years.
What are Habitat affiliates?
Habitat for Humanity's work is accomplished at the community level by affiliates --
independent, locally run, nonprofit organizations. Each affiliate coordinates all aspects
of Habitat home building in its local area -- fund raising, building site selection,
partner family selection and support, house construction and mortgage servicing.
All Habitat affiliates are asked to
"tithe" -- to give a percentage of their contributions to fund house-building work
in other nations. Tithing provides much-needed funds for international building, and it
also gives affiliates the opportunity to demonstrate the spirit of Christian partnership.
In 2001, U.S. affiliates tithed $9.04 million to support Habitat's work overseas.
How are the partner families selected?
Families in need of decent shelter apply to local Habitat affiliates. The affiliate's
family selection committee chooses homeowners based on their level of need, their
willingness to become partners in the program and their ability to repay the no-interest
loan. Every affiliate follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race
nor religion is a factor in choosing the families who receive Habitat houses.
How are donations distributed and used?
Donations are used as designated by the donor. Gifts received by HLHFH that are designated
to a specific building project are set aside for that project. Undesignated gifts are used
where most needed and for administrative expenses.
How does Habitat work with the government?
Habitat for Humanity is not a government agency, nor does it accept government funds for
the construction of houses. However, Habitat considers all levels of government and
governmental agencies important partners in its mission to eliminate poverty housing. We
encourage governments to do what they can to help alleviate the suffering of all those who
have no decent, adequate place to live.
Habitat for Humanity welcomes partnerships with
governments to help "set the stage" for the construction of houses.
Stage-setting funding and gifts might include land, houses for rehabilitation,
infrastructure for streets, utilities and administrative expenses.
How does a Habitat for Humanity affiliate
get started?
Habitat affiliates start when concerned citizens of diverse backgrounds come together to
address the problem of poverty housing in their community. These volunteers research the
community's affordable housing needs and resources, and evaluate the potential success of
Habitat's self-help model in their community. The group then applies to HFHI to become an
official Habitat affiliate.
How can I become a volunteer?
To volunteer with the Highland Lakes Habitat For humanity or to
obtain more information click here.
How can I Help? I would like to donate
LAND,
MATERIALS, SERVICES and /
or give FINANCIAL SUPPORT.
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