Facts

WHAT IS HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INTERNATIONAL?

Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit 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 from all walks of life to work together in partnership to help build houses with families in need. Habitat has built almost 80,000 houses around the world, providing some 400,000 people in more than 2,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter. HFHI was founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller along with his wife Linda.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Through volunteer labor and tax-deductible 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 enter a revolving Fund for Humanity to build more houses. Habitat carries out its mission at the community level through independent, locally run groups called affiliates.

Affiliates around the world raise the funds used to construct houses. Some affiliates in developing countries also receive funding grants from Habitat for Humanity International. All Habitat affiliates are asked to tithe -- to give 10 percent of their contributions to fund house building work in other nations.

Habitat is not a give-away program. In addition to a down payment and the monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest 500 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 $700 in some developing countries to an average of $42,500 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 7 to 30 years.

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 our search engine to find the names and phone numbers of affiliates in your area, or contact the Habitat help line at (912)924-6935, 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.

WHERE DOES HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INTERNATIONAL OPERATE?

There are nearly 1,800 active affiliates located in all 50 states of the United States, the territories of Guam and Puerto Rico, and in 63 other countries around the world.

Habitat is a grassroots movement. Concerned citizens from all walks of life come together as volunteers to form an HFHI affiliate in their community. Fundraising, house construction, family selection, and other key decisions are carried out by the local affiliates. HFHI's headquarters office, located in Americus, Ga., USA, provides information, training and a variety of other support services to Habitat affiliates worldwide.

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 upon request.

WHO CONTROLS AND MANAGES HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INTERNATIONAL?

An 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 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 no conditions that would violate Habitat's principles.

HOW DOES A HABITAT FOR HUMANITY AFFILIATE GET STARTED?

Anyone who wants to explore the possibility of eliminating poverty housing in his or her community is encouraged to contact HFHI headquarters for information. 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 01-912-924-6935.

HOW CAN I BECOME A VOLUNTEER?

To volunteer where you live, use our affiliate search engine to find contact information for your local affiliate. Other opportunities to support Habitat's work also are available -- see HFHI's get involved section.

HOW CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?

For additional information, see the other sections of this website, see our Executive Board's contact information on the homepage, or write or phone our international headquarters:

Habitat for Humanity International
121 Habitat Street
Americus, GA 31709-3498
(912)924-6935