Habitat for Humanity
What is Habitat for Humanity International?
Founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller along with his wife Linda, Habitat for Humanity
International is a nonprofit ecumenical Christian housing ministry. HFHI seeks
to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, 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.
Habitat has built more than 175,000 houses around the world, providing more than
750,000 people in more than 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter.
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?
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. 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.
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.
Habitat for Humanity International's headquarters, located in Americus, GA., USA,
provides information, training and a variety of other support services to Habitat
affiliates worldwide.
All Habitat affiliates are asked to "tithe" -- to give 10 percent 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. Some affiliates in developing countries also receive
funding grants from Habitat for Humanity International.
Where does Habitat for Humanity operate?
Habitat is a worldwide, grass-roots movement. There are more than 2,100 active
affiliates in 100 countries, including all 50 states of the United States, the
District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico. Use their affiliate search to find
Habitat affiliates in your area.
http://www.habitat.org/ See their Habitat
Affiliates Worldwide section for information on each country in which Habitat is
at work, including progress reports, project descriptions and affordable housing
needs.
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.
If your family, or a family you know, is in need of decent, affordable housing,
contact the Habitat affiliate nearest you. If you're not sure where a local Habitat
affiliate might be, use their search engine to find the names and phone numbers of
affiliates in your area, or contact the Habitat help line at (800)422-4828, ext.
2551 or 2552. Your local affiliate can give you information on the availability,
size, costs and sweat-equity requirements for Habitat houses in your area, as
well as information on the application process.
How are donations distributed and used?
Donations, whether to a local Habitat affiliate or to HFHI, are used as designated
by the donor. Gifts received by HFHI that are designated to a specific affiliate or
building project are forwarded to that affiliate or project. Undesignated gifts are
used where most needed and for administrative expenses. HFHI's most recent audited
financial statement is available online.
Who controls and manages Habitat for Humanity International?
An ecumenical, international board of directors determines policy and oversees
and guides the mission of Habitat for Humanity International. Board members are
dedicated volunteers who are deeply concerned about the problems of poverty housing
around the world.
The HFHI headquarters office operates with an administrative staff, assisted by a
core group of professional and support employees and supplemented by long-term
and short-term volunteers. Each Habitat for Humanity affiliate is managed by its
own local volunteer board.
How does Habitat work with the government?
Habitat for Humanity International 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.
If you are interested in eliminating poverty housing in your community, please
contact HFHI headquarters for information on establishing a Habitat affiliate. Persons
calling from inside the United States can call (800)HABITAT -- (800)422-4828. Those
calling from outside the United States may contact HFHI headquarters at 01-(229) 924-6935.
How can I become a volunteer?
To volunteer where you live, use their affiliate search engine to find contact
information for your local affiliate. Other opportunities to support Habitat's
work also are available -- see their get involved section.
http://www.habitat.org/
How can I get more information?
For additional information, see the other sections of their Web site
http://www.habitat.org/, see their
contact information page, or write or phone their international headquarters:
Habitat for Humanity International
121 Habitat Street
Americus, GA 31709-3498
U.S.A.
(229) 924-6935
publicinfo@hfhi.org
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