|
Founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller, Habitat
for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian
ministry with the goal of eliminating poverty housing. Habitat for
Humanity challenges people of all faith traditions and cultural
backgrounds to join in partnership with low-income families to improve
the conditions in which they live. Habitat for Humanity affiliates
(autonomous organizations that work in partnership with Habitat's
ministry) are located in the United States and abroad. The number of
affiliates around the world is growing rapidly.
Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials,
Habitat for Humanity builds and renovates houses in partnership with
homeowner families. Houses are sold at no profit to partner families,
financed with affordable, no-interest mortgages. Habitat is not a
giveaway program, but is a joint venture in which those who benefit
from the program are involved in the work at various levels. Each
homeowner family invest hundreds of hours of their own labor--sweat
equity--into the construction or renovation of their home as well as
other families' homes. By investing themselves in the building process,
homeowners gain self-reliance, self-esteem and new skills. Their down
payments and monthly mortgage payments are used to build more houses
through a revolving Fund for Humanity. Sweat equity reduces the cost of
the house and increases the pride of ownership among family members.
Partnerships
We build Habitat houses with tax-deductible donations using
volunteer and skilled labor. By working together, homeowners,
volunteers and donors become partners in the work of building houses,
while building new relationships as well.
The partnerships formed help to build and revitalize communities.
These partnerships include individuals, churches, companies,
foundations, organizations and other who join to build lives as well as
houses.
Communities
Habitat for Humanity's emphasis on community extends to our
organization, where we emphasize local commitment and local control.
Habitat projects usually grow from the grass-roots concern of citizens
writing their community. Each project is responsible for family
selection, site selection, construction work, fund-raising, family
nurturing and more. Rather than membership fees, Habitat expects
projects to voluntarily contribute for international work that depends
on outside support. All Habitat projects adhere to a nondiscriminatory
family selection policy.
Results
Habitat for Humanity International's headquarters are in Americus,
GA, where the movement was founded in 1976 and where work is
facilitated for all Habitat projects around the world. The years since
Habitat's founding are filled with results confirming that Habitat
works in building houses, families, communities and partnerships.
· Habitat has provided simple, decent
shelter to over one hundred thousand family members, a number that is
growing rapidly.
· Hundreds of thousands of volunteers
participate in various aspects of Habitat's work around the world.
· Homeowner families have seen their
lives transformed, becoming stronger members of society and making a
difference in their communities.
· Neighborhoods have seen their crime
rates drop and businesses develop and grow as a result of Habitat homes
being built in their midst.
· Ever-growing numbers of churches,
businesses, and corporations have stepped forward to be sponsors, adopt
families or otherwise assist Habitat's work.
· Habitat's efforts have touched the
consciences of thousands, and motivated other organizations to act as
well.
The Future
Shelter is a basic human need. The future has been changed for many
thousands by Habitat's efforts to meet that need. But millions
worldwide still face a future robbed of hope by a lack of adequate
shelter. That is why Habitat is determined that everyone worldwide have
a decent place in which to live.
You can help make this vision a reality. Provide families with hope
for the future by your partnership with Habitat for Humanity, contact
your local Habitat affiliate.
Other Frequently asked Questions
What does a Habitat house cost?
Currently, a three-bedroom Habitat house in the United States costs
the homeowner an average of $34,000. Prices will differ slightly
depending on location and the costs of land, labor and materials. In
developing nations, a Habitat house costs $500-$3,000, depending on
design, materials and location.
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. The average length of a Habitat mortgage in the United States
is 20 years.
How are the partner families selected?
Families apply to local Habitat affiliates. A 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 loan. Every affiliate follows a nondiscriminatory policy of
family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing the
families that receive Habitat houses.
Where does Habitat for Humanity International operate?
There are now over 1,000 active affiliates located in all 50 states
and the District of Columbia. there are also more than 100 building
projects coordinated by international affiliates in over 40 nations
around the world.
Habitat is a grass-roots movement. Concerned citizens from all walks
of life come together as volunteers to form a HFHI affiliate in their
community. Fund-raising, house construction, family selection and other
key decisions are carried out by the local affiliates. HFHI headquarters,
located in Americus, GA, provides information, training, prayer support
and other services to Habitat affiliates worldwide.
Due to the extreme poverty found in many developing nations, Habitat
affiliates overseas often receive funds for house building from HFHI
headquarters. However, international affiliates are required to raise
as much of their funding locally as possible.
All Habitat affiliates are asked to give 10% of their unrestricted
cash contributions to fund house building work in developing nations.
How are donations distributed and used?
Donations, whether to a local Habitat affiliate or to HFHI
headquarters, are used as designated by the donor. Gifts received by
HFHI headquarters that are designated to a specific affiliate or
project area are forwarded to that area. Any undesignated gifts are
used where most needed overseas and for administrative expenses. HFHI's
audited financial statement is available on request.
Who controls and manages Habitat for Humanity
International?
An ecumenical, international board of directors determines policy
and monitors operations in conjunction with a board of advisors. Board
members are dedicated volunteers who are deeply concerned about the
problems of poverty housing around the world. HFHI headquarters
operates with an administrative staff, assisted by a core group of
clerical and support employees and supplemented by long-term and
short-term volunteers. Each Habitat for Humanity affiliate is managed
by a local volunteer board.
How does Habitat work with the government?
Habitat does not accept government funds for the construction of new
houses or for the renovation or repair of existing houses. Habitat does
accept government funds for the acquisition of land or houses in need
of rehabilitation. Habitat also accepts government funds for streets,
utilities and administrative expenses, so long as the funds have not
strings attached that would violate Habitat's principles or limit its
ability to proclaim its Christian witness.
|
