Green County Habitat for Humanity

How does Habitat work?

Habitat partners with qualified families to create affordable housing in safe and stable environments. These families take budgeting and home ownership classes and contribute 250 sweat equity hours for each adult toward the construction of their home. They pay a down payment of $500 as well as monthly mortgage payments on a 20 -30 year, no interest loan held by HFHGC. Homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments create a revolving "Fund for Humanity" that is used to construct other homes.

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 20 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 operational headquarters, located in Americus, Georgia, USA, and its administrative headquarters, located in Atlanta, Georgia, provide 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. Tithing provides much-needed funds for international building, and it also gives affiliates the opportunity to demonstrate the spirit of Christian partnership. In 2001, U.S. affiliates tithed $9.04 million to support Habitat’s work overseas. Some affiliates in developing countries also receive funding grants from Habitat for Humanity International.

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 loan. Every affiliate follows a non-discriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing the families who receive Habitat houses.

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 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 welcomes partnerships with governments that include accepting funds and other resources to help provide houses for God’s children in need, provided these partnerships do not limit our ability to demonstrate the love and teachings of Jesus Christ, and further provided that affiliates do not become dependent on or controlled by government funds or other funding sources. Local Habitat for Humanity affiliates or Habitat for Humanity International may adopt more specific guidelines as deemed necessary to avoid such dependence or control.


Home About Habitat Donate Volunteer Current Build Schedule Current Projects Own A Home Habitat Events Recent Homes Habitat In the News Frequently Asked Questions Our Sponsors Senior Home Repair Contact Us Resources	Frequently Asked Questions 2008-01-29 How does Habitat work? Habitat partners with qualified families to create affordable housing in safe and stable environments. These families take budgeting and home ownership classes and contribute 250 sweat equity hours for each adult toward the construction of their home. They pay a down payment of $500 as well as monthly mortgage payments on a 20 -30 year, no interest loan held by HFHGC. Homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments create a revolving "Fund for Humanity" that is used to construct other homes. 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 20 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 operational headquarters, located in Americus, Georgia, USA, and its administrative headquarters, located in Atlanta, Georgia, provide 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. Tithing provides much-needed funds for international building, and it also gives affiliates the opportunity to demonstrate the spirit of Christian partnership. In 2001, U.S. affiliates tithed $9.04 million to support Habitat’s work overseas. Some affiliates in developing countries also receive funding grants from Habitat for Humanity International. 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 loan. Every affiliate follows a non-discriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing the families who receive Habitat houses. 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 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 welcomes partnerships with governments that include accepting funds and other resources to help provide houses for God’s children in need, provided these partnerships do not limit our ability to demonstrate the love and teachings of Jesus Christ, and further provided that affiliates do not become dependent on or controlled by government funds or other funding sources. Local Habitat for Humanity affiliates or Habitat for Humanity International may adopt more specific guidelines as deemed necessary to avoid such dependence or control.