UM Habitat for Humanity FAQs

Families apply to local Habitat affiliates. A 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 nondiscriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing the families that receive Habitat houses.

1.5. How are donations distributed and used?

Donations, whether to a local Habitat affiliate or to HFHI headquarters, are used as designated by the donor. Gifts received by HFHI headquarters that are designated to a specific affiliate or project area are forwarded to the designee. Any undesignated gifts are used where most needed overseas and for administrative expenses. HFHI's audited financial statement is available on request.

1.6. Who operates and manages Habitat for Humanity International?

An ecumenical, international board of directors determines policy and monitors operations in conjunction with a board of advisors. Board members are dedicated volunteers who are deeply concerned about the problems of poverty housing around the world. HFHI headquarters operates with an administrative staff, assisted by a core group of clerical and support employees and supplemented by long-term and short-term volunteers.

1.7. Brief history of Habitat for Humanity International

What the poor need is not charity but capital, not caseworkers but co-workers. And what the rich need is a wise, honorable and just way of divest- ing themselves of their overabundance. The Fund for Humanity will meet both of these needs. Money for the Fund will come from shared gifts by those who feel they have more than they need and from non-interest bearing loans from those who cannot afford to make a gift but who do want to provide working capital for the disinher- ited... The Fund will give away no money. It is not a handout.

In 1968, Koinonia laid out 42 half-acre house sites, with four acres reserved as a community park and recreational area. Capital was donated from around the countrv to start the work. Homes were built and sold to families in need at no profit and no interest. The basic model of Habitat for Humanity had begun.

In 1973, the Fullers decided to apply the Fund for Humanity concept in developing countries. At the invitation of the Church of Christ of Zaire and under the sponsorship of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States, the Fuller family moved to Mbandaka, Zaire. Their goal was to offer adequate, affordable shelter for 2,000 people. Three years after launching a successful house building program, the Fullers returned to the United States.

In September 1976, the Fullers called together a group of committed Christians to discuss the future of their dream. Habitat for Humanitv International (HFHI) as an organization was born at this meeting. The eight tumultuous years that followed, vividly described in Millard Fuller's book, Love in the Mortar Joints, proved that the vision of a housing ministry was workable. Faith, hard work and direction set HFHI on its successful course.

In 1984, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn took their first Habitat work project to New York City. Their personal involve- ment in Habitat's ministry brought the organiza- tion national visibility and sparked interest in Habitat's work across the nation. HFHI experi- enced a dramatic increase in the number of new affiliates around the country.

Through the work of Habitat, thousands of low-income families have found new hope in the form of affordable housing. Churches have risen to the challenge of practical discipleship. Communities have improved as citizens join together to successfully tackle a significant social problem. The work of Habitat has revitalized neighborhoods by rehabilitating dilapidated housing and building new homes on vacant lots.

1.8. Basic principles about Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity has chosen to witness to Jesus Christ's Gospel by working with God's people in need everywhere to create a better habitat in which to live and work.
Though Habitat is an ecumenical Christian ministry, everyone who shares a concern for the poorly sheltered is welcome -- all faiths, ages, races, walks of life and cultures.
The formation of partnerships is essential to Habitat's work. Habitat believes that when we join in partnership, our differences give way to factors that unite us.
Habitat affiliates must build affordable houses. This is accomplished through various partner- ships, including volunteer workers, generous donors and prayer partners.
Habitat affiliates are not to make a profit nor charge interest on the mortgages, based on Exodus 22:25.
Future Habitat homeowners must work hun- dreds of hours on their houses and the houses of others. This work commitment is termed "sweat equity."
Homeowner house payments go into a revolv- ing "Fund for Humanity" to help pay for the construction of other houses.
Habitat accepts government funds only for the acquisition of streets, utilities, land, old houses needing renovation or for administrative expenses, provided those funds do not compromise Habitat principles. No other government funding is accepted.
Habitat affiliates originate at the grass-roots level, going only where local people invite and initiate interest in Habitat's work.
Habitat does not build houses for people in need, but with people in need as equal partners. Habitat aspires to empower them and assist them in developing self-sufficiency.
Future Habitat homeowners are chosen locally, based on need, willingness to work on houses and ability to pay for their houses. Habitat's selection processes are nondiscriminatory.

1.9. Facts about Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that seeks to eliminate substandard housing worldwide.
Habitat for Humanity International was founded by Millard and Linda Fuller in Americus, GA in 1976.
Habitat for Humanity International's world headquarters is located in Americus, GA.
Habitat for Humanity International has nearly 1,200 U.S. affiliates in all 50 states, plus more than 100 international affiliates in 44 countries.
Habitat houses are sold at no profit to partner families, financed with no-interest mortgages that are issued for 15-20 years. House payments go into a revolving Fund for Humanity that is used to build more Habitat houses.
Habitat for Humanity's criteria for selecting homeowners is based on three principles:
- the family's need for adequate shelter
- the ability to pay
- the willingness to partner.
Homeowner families are required to invest "sweat equity" labor hours into the construction of their houses.
By January, 1995, Habitat for Humanity International had built more than 30,000 houses worldwide.
The average cost of a Habitat house in the U.S. is $35,000.
Habitat for Humanity houses built in developing nations cost an average of $2,500. (depending on location the cost runs anywhere from $500 to $5,000)
Habitat for Humanity house costs are kept low through donations from individuals, corporations, churches and foundations, and through the use of volunteer labor.
More than 200,000 volunteers work with Habitat for Humanity annually.
Habitat for Humanity International is ranked as the 19th largest home builder in the United States by Builder Magazine, the official publication of the National Association of Home Builders. Habitat for Humanity is the largest nonprofit home builder in the world.
Habitat for Humanity's most well-known volunteers, former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, started building with Habitat in 1984.
Since 1984 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter have led the annual Jimmy Carter Work Project with Habitat for Humanity International. These are week-long "blitz builds" that have been held in various U.S. cities, Mexico and Canada.

2. HFH at University of Michigan

2.1. What is the mission of Campus Chapters?

To capture the imagination, energy, and hope of students in order to productively and responsibly involve them in the work of Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that seeks to eliminate poverty housing from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.

2.2. What do campus chapters do?

Campus chapters perform three main functions: educating the campus and local community about affordable housing issues and the work of Habitat for Humanity; building or rehabilitating houses in partnership with Habitat affiliates and homeowners; and raising funds for the work of Habitat. Participation in campus chapters enables students to put their love into action and to build partnerships with people sharing a common goal. Participants gain greater awareness of the need for decent and affordable housing, encouraging a deeper commitment to social action.

2.3. Can other service organizations work with Habitat?

Chapter associates are established groups that agree to work with Habitat for a defined purpose and period of time. Fellowship groups, volunteer service organizations, alternative spring break programs and Greek organizations (social and academic) are examples of organizations which may become chapter associates.

2.4. How widespread are campus chapters and chapter associates?

Since 1987, more than 330 campus chapters and more than 900 chapter associates have been chartered in 43 states. In addition there are international campus chapters located in Canada, Papua New Guinea, Zambia and the Philippines.

2.5. How do I contact HFH at University of Michigan?

Check out our web page!

http://www.umhabitat.org

Send us email!

Send us mail!

2.6. How can I join your mailing list?

web page

2.7. Where is your web page?

http://www.umhabitat.org

3. Collegiate Challenge/Weekend Challenge

3.1. What is the Collegiate Challenge?

The Collegiate Challenge is a work camp program for college and high school students coordinated by the Campus Chapters department. Students spend their school breaks building at Habitat affiliates, with the major event spanning a six-week period between February and April.

3.2. What is the Weekend Challenge?

Weekend Challenges are shorter work trips to closer affiliates. Typically weekend challenges last one or two days, are go to such locations as Detroit or Toledo. The cost for these trips is much lower--about $25 compared to about $175 for the Collegiate Challenge.

3.3. What sort of work will I be expected to do?

Habitaters generally perform almost any work required on the house except those items which are left to specialized contractors, such as wiring, heating, plumbing, drywalling, and laying the foundation. Although some physical endurance is required, most tasks can be performed by anybody.

3.4. Do I need any experience?

NO! On-site contractors show you exactly what you need to do before you do it. You need not feel uncomfortable if it is your first time; for most of the other volunteers, it is their first time too!

3.5. Do I need any tools?

Any tools you need will be provided by the affiliate you are working for. However, it is sometimes helpful if you have basic items such as a tool belt, hammer, tape measure, speed square, and pencil.

4. HFH of Huron Valley

4.1. What is an affiliate?

An affiliate is a community organization, separate from the University, which runs Habitat for Humanity operations in the county. The affiliate handles tasks such as selecting the partner families, coordinating community volunteers, and raising most of the funds for building. The campus chapter works very closely with the affiliate.

4.2. When should I contact the affiliate?

The campus chapter has three goals: educating the students, coordinating students for working, and raising funds. If you have a need which falls outside of these goals, you may want to first contact the local affiliate at the number below.

4.3. What is our affiliate's phone number and address?

Phone Number

Address
Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley
3820 Packard Road
Suite 240
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108

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