FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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 mortage
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.
Habitat for Humanity International's (HFHI)eadquarters, located in Americus, Ga.,
U.S.A,
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. 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 1,900 active affiliates
in 64 countries, including all 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia,
Guam and Puerto Rico.
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 Otero County Habitat office at 437-6562 or e-mail OteroHabitat@zianet.com. We can provide you information on the
availability, size, costs and sweat-equity requirements for Habitat houses in our 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.
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.
How can I get more information?
For additional information, contact us at the Otero County Habitat office or contact the
Habitat International office listed below.
Habitat for Humanity International
121 Habitat Street
Americus, GA 31709-3498
U.S.A.
(912) 924-6935
