What is Habitat for Humanity?

HFH is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry, which seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.

HFH welcomes volunteers from all backgrounds, races, and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need.

HFH brings families and communities together with volunteers and resources to build decent, affordable housing.

HFH is not a giveaway program. Houses are sold with no profit made. In addition to a down payment and the monthly mortgage payments, homeowners contribute 400 hours of “sweat equity,” and house payments are recycled to build additional houses.

Since 1976, Habitat has built more than 100,000 houses around the world, providing more than 500,000 people in more than 2,000 communities in 80 countries with safe, decent, affordable shelter.

How does Habitat for Humanity 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, long-term loans. The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are used to build still more Habitat houses.

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 houses are sold at Habitat’s cost and no interest is charged on the mortgage. Mortgage lengths vary from seven to 30 years but average 20 years.

The Habitat for Humanity International Web site contains more information on Habitat’s history, mission, volunteer opportunities, and contact information for other Habitat affiliates around the world.