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List of Common Questions: (click on the question to be taken to the answer) What's the idea behind Habitat for Humanity? What's the idea behind Habitat for Humanity? It is a nonprofit Christian housing ministry that works both to eliminate poverty housing around the world and to make adequate housing a matter of conscience and action. People from all walks of life are invited to work in partnership to help build houses with people in need. To date, Habitat has built more than 100,000 houses around the world, providing some 500,000 people in more than 2,000 communities with safe, adequate and affordable houses. Why is building adequate shelter important? The need for decent housing in the United States and around the world is staggering. An estimated 25 percent of the world's population - more than a billion people - live in poor housing or have no home at all. Families are trapped in a daily struggle to survive amid substandard, often inhuman, living conditions. Habitat is dedicated to the ideal that all people deserve a simple, decent place to live on terms they can afford to pay. Does Habitat for Humanity give houses to poor people? Habitat houses are not given to anyone. Rather, the organization builds houses in partnership with people living in poverty, and then sells the house to the homeowner partner. Because of Habitat's no-profit, no-interest loans, and because the houses are principally built with volunteer labor, mortgage payments are affordable for low-income partners. Does Habitat for Humanity only build for minorities? Habitat builds houses with qualifying partners without regard to race. The U.S. Fair Housing Act of 1968 prohibits denying anyone housing on the basis of race, sex, creed, marital status, color or national origin. The HFHI covenant signed and agreed to by all U.S. and international affiliates further specifies that home owners are selected according to criteria that do not discriminate on the basis of race, creed or ethnic background. Is this another government program? No. Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. Habitat for Humanity of Greene County is a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. Every Habitat affiliate around the world is autonomous, selecting its own projects, families, and programs, and raising the money to achieve these goals. Green County Habitat relies on local contributors for both labor and money. Donations come from individuals, churches, corporations, and foundations. If I make a donation, is it tax-deductible? Yes. Habitat for Humanity of Greene County is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization and donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Are any Greene County Habitat houses currently under construction? Yes. Click here for directions When does all this construction work take place? Work on both houses takes place on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. . The work day is opened with prayer, then the Construction Supervisor outlines the work for the day. He and the crew chiefs are there for any instruction needed by the volunteers. If you or a contingent from your church, company or club are interested helping with the construction, click here. How can I help - other than working on house construction? There are many "non-construction" tasks where volunteers are needed. You could serve on the fund raising committee, publicity committee, or food committee. If you tell us what your skills or interests are, we can find something to match! Click here for information. Anyone! We need on site workers. To work on site the volunteer must be at least 18 years old or accompanied by an adult. Board members or committee members can be anyone. We need help in all areas. Click here for more information. How does a family qualify for a Habitat home? To achieve home ownership with Habitat, families must meet the following qualifications: 1. Need for adequate housing. This could mean that your housing is dilapidated or unsafe for you and your family. Or, it could also mean that the rent is beyond your means or that the housing is too small or otherwise unsuited for your family. There are many ways in which housing can be inadequate. 2. Inability to get a mortgage from a bank. This means that your income must be too low for you to save for a down payment and make the monthly payments for a bank mortgage. 3. Ability to pay for the home. The house is not free, but since Habitat homeowners do not pay interest, the payments become affordable to the family, including tax and insurance. It is very important that a Habitat homeowner is able to make the payment each month. When the house is complete, the homeowner must pay a nominal fee for the costs of preparing the mortgage and getting the insurance. 4. Willingness to partner. Building a home with Habitat is a partnership. Each member of the partner family who is 18 years or older must contribute a minimum of 250 hours toward the home or another home. We call that "sweat equity." It's hard work, and during the construction process, it will probably take all your spare time. After the home is done, the homeowner continues to be a partner, giving support to Habitat and other homeowners. 5. Satisfactory Credit History The Habitat homeowner takes on a big commitment in building and buying a home. As part of the selection process, references are checked to verify that you have a good credit history. 6. Resident of Greene County The applicant must have been a resident of Greene County for the previous year. What is a Habitat for Humanity home like? Habitat builds homes with volunteers but with professional quality and care. Most are new, but occasionally older homes are rehabilitated so that they are as good as new in all respects. They must meet all city codes and are well insulated. Habitat homes are not fancy, but they are very attractive. Each home has a full kitchen, spacious living room, an adequate number of bedrooms and a bathroom. Many have a shed is included. There are also photos of houses in process, in the Construction part of this web site. Click here to view completed homes. How do I apply to become a Habitat Homeowner? Contact Habitat for Humanity of Greene County in one of the following ways: Call Greene County Habitat's telephone number at (937) 374-8726 and leave a voice mail message or E-mail us. Can I contribute through the Combined Federal Campaign or United Way? Yes. We are an endorsed nonprofit organization registered with the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign. Our identification number is # 7057. Does anyone answer the Habitat Phone? Yes, but its very important to leave a clear message. State your name and phone number slowly and clearly, then explain why you are calling. We will return calls as soon as we can but this can take some time as the messages are passed on to the appropriate people. Greene County Habitat's telephone number is (937) 374-8726. Did former U.S.. President Jimmy Carter start Habitat for Humanity? Habitat for Humanity International was started in Americus, Ga., in 1976, by Millard Fuller, along with his wife, Linda. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn (whose home in Plains is just eight miles from Americus), are longtime Habitat supporters and volunteers. They have led the Jimmy Carter Work Project annually since 1984. Do you have to be a Christian to be a Habitat homeowner? While Habitat for Humanity is a Christian organization, homeowners are chosen without regard to creed, both in keeping with the requirements of law and Habitat’s belief that God’s love extends to all, regardless of race, creed, gender or nationality. What does a Habitat house cost? Throughout the world, the cost of houses varies from as little as a few thousand dollars in some developing countries to an average of $54,000 in the United States. Habitat houses are affordable for low-income homeowner partners because there is no profit included in the sale price and no interest charged on the mortgage. How are partner homeowners selected? People needing adequate housing apply to their local Habitat affiliate. Future homeowner partners are selected by the affiliate based on need, willingness to partner with Habitat, and ability to repay a no-interest mortgage |
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