What is Habitat for Humanity?
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the Cedar Valley area 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 for Humanity has built more than 300,000 houses around the world, providing more than 1.5 million people in more than 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter. Habitat for Humanity International was founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller along with his wife, Linda.

How does it work?
Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates 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.

What are Habitat affiliates?
Habitat for Humanity's work is accomplished at the community level by affiliates - independent, locally run, nonprofit organizations. Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International.  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.

Where does Habitat for Humanity operate?
Habitat is a worldwide, grassroots movement. Habitat has a presence in more than 90 countries, including all 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico. Use our affiliate search to find Habitat affiliates in your area.

See our Habitat Affiliates Worldwide section for information on each country in which Habitat is at work, including progress reports, project descriptions and affordable housing needs.

How are the partner families selected?
Families in need of decent shelter apply to Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity. CVHH'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. CVHH follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing the families who receive Habitat houses.

If your family, or a family you know, is in need of decent, affordable housing, please visit the Apply for a Home section of our website. We can provide information on the availability, size, costs and sweat-equity requirements for Habitat houses in your area, as well as information on the application process.

How are donations distributed and used?
Donations to Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity are used as designated by the donor. Undesignated gifts are used where most needed and for administrative expenses.

How does Habitat work with the government?
Habitat realizes that local and national partnerships with governments are important in creating affordable housing. Habitat accepts government funds for infrastructure, utilities, capacity building or training, and house building, so long as the funds have no conditions that would violate Habitat's principles or limit its ability to proclaim its Christian identity.

How can I become a volunteer?
To volunteer please visit the Get Involved section of our website.

How can I get more information?
For additional information, see the other sections of this website or contact us through the Contact section of the website.

Portions adapted from the Habitat for Humanity International website.