Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS HABITAT FOR HUMANITY?

In 1976, Millard Fuller had a vision of providing affordable and adequate housing to low income families. In that year, Fuller co-founded Habitat for Humanity International. Because of Habitat’s work over the years, more than 125,000 families in 78 countries have received a simple and decent home built with love.

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 is a worldwide, grass-roots movement. There are more than 1,900 active affiliates in 83 countries, including all 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico.
 

HOW DO WE PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING?

Habitat takes the profit out of housing. Through gracious donations of money, land, building materials and time we are able to keep the cost of construction at a minimum. Without volunteers donating their time for the labor of love our costs would be much higher. The homes are sold to families normally on a 20-year mortgage without interest. The house payments are used toward the building of future Habitat homes. 
 

HOW ARE FAMILIES SELECTED?

Families apply to be considered for home ownership. Each affiliate's Family Selection Committee chooses homeowners based upon the family's housing need, their ability to make their house payments and their willingness to partner with Habitat by putting in up to 500 hours of sweat equity. These family's income normally represent 25 to 50% of the median income in the area. Race, religion, etc. are not factors in the selection process.