What is Habitat for Humanity?
Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian
housing ministry. HFH seeks to eliminate poverty housing and
homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of
conscience and action. Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races
and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in
need.
Habitat has built more than 300,000 houses around the world, providing
more than 1 million people in more than 3,000 communities with safe,
decent, affordable shelter. HFHI was founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller
along with his wife, Linda.
Who is Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County (HFHDC)? HFHDC became an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International in June 1998. With the leadership of Earl Hoffman, a board of directors was formed and the task of much paperwork began. The affiliate was named Kishwaukee Valley Habitat for Humanity. Since 1998, 8 homes have been built and the building on the 9th home will begin this summer. We are proud to celebrate our 10th year as an affiliate by looking forward to soon building our 10th home.
How does it work?
Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat
builds simple, decent houses with the help of the
homeowner (partner) families. Habitat houses are sold to partner
families at no profit and financed with affordable 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 mortgage 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 nearly $60,000 in the
United States. Habitat houses are affordable for low-income families
because there is no profit included in the sale price. Mortgage length
varies from seven to 30 years.