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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
 What is Habitat for Humanity?
Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing
ministry that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness
from our country and around the world. Founded in 1976 by Millard
and Linda Fuller, Habitat has built more than 175,000 houses
worldwide.
Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials,
Habitat builds and/or renovates 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 go into a revolving fund that is used to build more houses.
The local affiliate, Central Westmoreland Habitat for Humanity, has
been in existence since 1993, had is at work on its eighth project.
Habitat is not a giveaway program. In addition to down payment and
monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of
their own labor, “sweat equity”, into building their house and the
houses of others.
The selection process has families in need of decent shelter
applying 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 willingness to repay the
no-interest loan.
Habitat does not accept government funds for the construction of new
houses or for the renovation or repair of existing houses. The
majority of our funding comes from individual donors, churches,
corporations, foundations, and colleges.
Our founder Millard Fuller sums up the concept of Habitat by saying,
“All across the land, transformations are happening. The names of
the people change and the towns and cities are different, but the
stories are the same. Old dilapidated houses change to modest but
good solid houses. New houses are built on formerly vacant land.
Renters become homeowners. Despondency and a sense of hopelessness
give way to rejoicing and buoyant hope. Instability in families is
transformed into rock-solid stability. Poor performance or failure
in work or school change to promotions and success. All because
these good people have found a simple, decent place to stand which
gives them the chance to move forward.”
How are families chosen for a Habitat home?
First, the
family needs to be turned down for a conventional mortgage through
the bank and must have a steady source of income.
Second, they must be able to invest 350 hours of
"Sweat equity" in work time on their home. Third, they
must be living in substandard housing.
If a family
believes they qualify, they should send a letter of need to: Central
Westmoreland Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 516, Greensburg, Pa.
l5601. Their letter is forwarded to the Family Selection committee
and the process begins.
The applying family
is sent a letter with the requirements and an application. They have
30 days to fill out the application and return it to Habitat. When
this is complete, the application is reviewed. If they meet the
standards for income, they enter the second phase of the process,
which includes having previous landlords sign that they made
payments on time, securing a statement from their employer and
submitting their last two years of income tax return statements. All
information remains confidential and helps in the selection process.
The applicants must also request a copy of their credit report that
they submit to Habitat as well as visit the credit bureau for a
counseling session. All of this phase takes up to 90 days to
complete.
If they still
qualify, they will participate in a home visit with the Family
Selection committee to verify substandard housing. Finally the
family story is brought to the board of directors for discussion and
approval.
As you can see, it
is a lengthy process with much thought and prayer.
Once selected and
the work begins, the family is right there with the volunteer work
crew building their home.
The usual mortgage
through Habitat is a comfortable mortgage payment that
allows families to accelerate their payoff if they are able.
This is not a free gift as many people believe. It takes hard work
and determination just to get selected as a home owner and the wait
once selected can be one to five years based on the waiting list and
the number of families in line.
Nothing happens
fast but the outcome of patience is a safe, decent place to live. We
help build family character as we build homes.
For more information on Habitat
for Humanity Homeownership, please
click here.
Eight
Myths about Habitat for Humanity
Myth: Habitat for
Humanity gives houses away to poor people.
Fact: Habitat for
Humanity International offers a homeownership opportunity to
families unable to obtain conventional house
financing—generally, those whose income is 30 to 50 percent
of the area's median income. In most cases, prospective
Habitat homeowner families make a $500 down payment and
contribute 300 to 500 hours of "sweat equity" on the
construction of their home or someone else's home. Because
Habitat houses are built using donations of land, material
and labor, mortgage payments are kept affordable.
Myth: Habitat houses
reduce property values in a neighborhood.
Fact: Low-cost housing
studies in the United States and Canada show affordable
housing has no adverse effect on other neighborhood property
values. In fact, Habitat houses have increased property
values and local government tax income.
Myth: Only African
Americans get Habitat for Humanity homes.
Fact: Habitat builds
houses in partnership with those in need—regardless of race,
religion or any other difference—who meet three criteria:
need; ability to repay the no-interest, no-profit mortgage;
and a willingness to partner with Habitat. According to the
latest available statistics (through 1997), 33 percent of
Habitat homeowners are Anglo; 67 percent are people of
color.
Myth: Habitat for
Humanity International dictates policy and practices for
every local Habitat organization.
Fact: Habitat operates
through locally governed affiliates with a strong emphasis
on grassroots organizations and local autonomy. Habitat
affiliates are independent, nonprofit organizations that
operate within specific service areas in a covenant
relationship with Habitat for Humanity International.
Myth: Habitat
homeowners are on welfare.
Fact: While some
Habitat homeowners receive Aid to Families with Dependent
Children (AFDC), many more are working people. Typically
their annual income is less than half the local median
income in their community.
Myth: You have to be
Christian to become a Habitat homeowner.
Fact: Habitat for
Humanity is a Christian organization. However, homeowners
are chosen without regard to race, religion or ethnic group,
in keeping with U.S. law and with Habitat's abiding belief
that God's love extends to everyone. Habitat also welcomes
volunteers from all faiths, or no faith, who actively
embrace Habitat's goal of eliminating poverty housing from
the world.
Myth: Habitat for
Humanity is an arm of the government.
Fact: Habitat is an
ecumenical Christian housing organization. It is neither an
arm of the government nor an arm of any church or
denomination. It does not accept government funds for the
construction of new houses or for the renovation or repair
of existing houses. Habitat does accept government
assistance for the acquisition of land or houses in need of
rehabilitation. Habitat also accepts government help for
streets, utilities and administrative expenses, as long as
the funds carry no obligations that would limit Habitat's
ability to proclaim its Christian witness.
Myth: Habitat for
Humanity was founded by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.
Fact: Habitat was
started in 1976 in Americus, Ga., by Millard Fuller along
with his wife Linda. President Carter and his wife Rosalynn
(whose home is eight miles from Americus, in Plains, Ga.),
have been longtime Habitat supporters and volunteers who
help bring national attention to the organization's
house-building work. Each year, they lead the Jimmy Carter
Work Project to help build houses and raise awareness of the
need for affordable housing.
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