| WHO
WE ARE
Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda
Fuller, Habitat for Humanity international is an ecumenical,
Christian housing ministry that seeks to eliminate poverty
housing from the world and to make decent shelter a matter
of conscience and action. By having needy and affluent
people work together in equal partnership, Habitat builds
new relationships and a sense of community as well as new
housing.
HOW DOES IT WORK
Through tax-deductible donations of money, materials and volunteer
labor, Habitat builds and rehabilitates various homes with
the help of the future homeowners. Houses are sold at
no profit to partner families with no-interest mortgages issued
over a fixed period. Costs of homes differ relative
to location, labor, land and materials. Currently, a
Habitat house in the U.S. costs homeowners $30,000, while
overseas houses range from $1,000 to $3,000. Small monthly
mortgage payments, including taxes and insurance, are repaid
over an average of 20 years and deposited into a revolving
"Fund for Humanity" which supports the construction
of more houses.
HOW DOES THE PARTNERSHIP
WITH HOMEOWNERS WORK?
Habitat is not a giveaway program, but is a joint venture
in which those who benefit from the housing ministry are involved
in the work at various levels. Each homeowner family
is required to invest sweat equity housing into the construction
of their home. This reduces the cost of the house, increases
the pride of ownership among family members, and fosters the
development of positive relationships with other people.
HOW DOES HABITAT
WORK WITH THE GOVERNMENT
Habitat does not accept government money for construction
of new houses, renovation or repair of existing houses, or
the general operating expenses of projects. Habitat
does, however, accept funds for the acquisition of streets,
utilities, land, or old houses needing rehabilitation, providing
those funds have no provisions attached which would violate
Habitat's principles.
HOW WIDESPREAD
IS HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INTERNATIONAL?
Habitat for Humanity International is growing rapidly.
There are over 650 affiliated projects in the United States,
Canada, and Australia and more than 100 sponsored projects
in 29 developing countries. South Africa has projects
of both types.
WHO CONTROLS
AND MANAGES HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INTERNATIONAL?
An ecumenical board of 27 people meets three times a year
to determine policy and monitor operations in conjunction
with a larger Board of Advisors. Primarily dependent
upon volunteer labor, Habitat for Humanity's International
Headquarters operates with an administrative, staff, assisted
by a core group of paid clerical and support people and supplemented
by scores of long- and short-term volunteers. Each Habitat
for Humanity affiliate and sponsored project is managed by
a local volunteer board.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN A SPONSORED AND AN AFFILIATED PROJECT?
Sponsorship means that Habitat for Humanity International
takes full responsibility for funding and for securing Habitat
volunteers for the project. At this time, all Habitat
sponsored projects are located in economically disadvantaged
countries. Affiliated projects are independent, non-profit
organizations are are responsible for their own fund-raising,
publicity, volunteer recruitment and staffing. The international
Headquarters offers advise and assistance to all projects.
HOW ARE DONATIONS
DISTRIBUTED AND USED?
Donations are distributed as designated by the donor.
All gifts received by the International Headquarters, designated
for a specific project, are forwarded to the project.
Any undesignated gifts are used where needed overseas and
for administrative expenses. An audited financial statement
is available upon request.
DOES HABITAT FOR
HUMANITY HAVE OTHER PROGRAMS?
Many special programs within Habitat for Humanity support
the ministry's housing mission. Four of them are: the
Covenant Church
program, which involves churches in contributing financially
and prayerfully to Habitat; Vision
Habitat, which
provides needed eyeglasses for developing countries and money
for overseas housing; the Campus
Chapters program, which involves educational
institutions of all types in working toward solving the housing
problem; and sponsored projects in building barrier-free homes
for persons with disabilities. Other major programs
include: the International Day
of Prayer and Action for Human Habitat, observed
under Habitat for Humanity sponsorship at religious institutions
the third Sunday of September every Year; Habitat
for Homeless Humanity, which assists affiliated
projects addressing the homeless problem by providing transitional
housing; and House-Raising Week
Worldwide, which each summer focuses on Habitat
construction during a single week. The Jimmy
Carter Work Project, a weeklong blitz-building
program conducted every summer in a different city, is the
focal point of House-Raising Week Worldwide.
HOW
DOES A HABITAT FOR HUMANITY PROJECT GET STARTED?
Habitat for Humanity is a grass-roots movement.
Anyone who wants to explore the possibility of eliminating
poverty housing in his or her community is encouraged to contact
Habitat's International Headquarters for information.
Printed materials are available for purchase.
HOW CAN I BECOME
A VOLUNTEER?
Volunteer information and applications are available from
the International Headquarters. Habitat needs volunteers
to work in U.S. projects for periods that range from one day
to over a year. you can help with construction or office-related
work. We also need volunteers overseas, making at lease
a three-year commitment which includes a period of training
at International Headquarters.
HOW ELSE CAN I
HELP?
Spread the word! Provide individuals and groups prayer
support. Give slide presentation, raise money, distribute
Habitat for Humanity Literature to friends. Invite friends,
church groups, business and civic organizations to a Habitat
for Humanity presentation or speech. Contact the Speakers
Bureau at Habitat for Humanity's International Headquarters
to arrange speakers on Habitat topics for audiences around
the United State3s and Canada. Present a Habitat for
Humanity annual calendar as a gift to a friend. And,
of course, you can send a check either as a gift or a no-interest
loan.
HOW CAN I LEARN
MORE ABOUT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INTERNATIONAL/KOKOMO COMMUNITY?
Books, slide shows, videos and movies are available.
All materials can be ordered through:
Habitat for Humanity of the Kokomo Community
P.O. Box 0158
Kokomo, Indiana 46903-0158
Ph: 765-452-2185
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