| What is Habitat for Humanity?
Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) was started by Millard and Linda Fuller in 1976. Since its inception, more than 100,000 homes have been built or rehabilitated worldwide to fill critical housing needs. Partnership Housing - families and volunteers working together building houses the idea that became HFHI, was begun at Koinonia Farm outside Americus, Georgia in 1968 when the Fullers left a comfortable lifestyle to begin a life of Christian service at the Farm. Their work soon took them to Africa to help start a successful house-building program in Zaire. In 1976 they returned to America after three years in Zaire. The framework for their vision of eliminating substandard housing had been architected. With the help of many supporters, including Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter, Habitat for Humanity International was created and gained worldwide visibility. What is Habitat doing in The Tri-Cities? Tri-Cities Habitat For Humanity (TCHFH) is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI). Though we are only nine years old, HFHI began in 1976 and has built more than 150,000 houses in more than 90 countries, including some 50,000 houses across the United States. HFHI is a nonprofit ecumenical organization dedicated to eliminating poverty housing from the world. It provides decent housing to partner families through no profit, no interest loans. Costs are kept down through use of volunteer labor and donated materials. The mortgage payments go into a revolving Fund for Humanity which builds more homes. In addition to mortgage payments, partner families invest "sweat equity" in building for Habitat. Serving Petersburg, Hopewell, Colonial Heights, Prince George, and Dinwiddie Virginia How does Habitat provide houses? Through volunteer labor,
tax-deductible donated materials and money, we build and
rehabilitate homes with the help of the partner family.
The houses are sold at no profit to partner families and
financed with no-interest mortgages over a fixed period of time.
The average cost for a Habitat home in our area is $60,000.
The monthly mortgage payment, which includes taxes and
insurance, goes into a revolving fund that supports construction of
new homes. |
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What
has Tri-Cities Habitat done so far?
Future
plans include opening a ReStore, a retail outlet where quality
surplus and used building materials are sold at a fraction of normal
prices. Proceeds will help fund the construction of more homes.
Materials are usually donated from building supply stores,
contractors, demolition crews and individuals.
In addition to raising funds, a ReStore helps the environment
by recycling good, usable materials.
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Get
involved! Urge your
civic, social or church group to sponsor a fund-raiser or to
participate in a day of building - it’s a great way to team-build!
In fact, your organization could sponsor an entire house.
Become a Habitat volunteer - we need committee members,
office workers, and skilled and unskilled workers at our building
sites. You can make a difference! If you are skilled in construction, we are
always looking for site supervisors (committed
to a particular project for its duration) and
for day supervisors (to help train and oversee
the volunteers for specific work days), and for licensed trades
people. |
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Give us a call at 732-5793 to volunteer or call our main office at 732-5793 for more information on Habitat’s programs. |
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