Myths (and Facts) about Habitat for Humanity
MYTH: Habitat for Humanity gives houses away to poor people.
FACT: Habitat for Humanity of East King County provides homeownership opportunities to deserving families unable to obtain conventional house financing—generally, those whose income is less than 50 percent of the area's median income. Partner Families must complete 500 hours of sweat equity before purchasing their homes and attend education courses focused on budgeting, credit repair, home maintenance, and disaster preparedness. Habitat for Humanity provides a "hand up, not a hand out" to families in need of decent, affordable housing and sells homes on zero-interest loans. Habitat is able to keep construction costs down through volunteer labor and donations.
MYTH: You have to be Christian to become a Habitat homeowner.
FACT: Habitat for Humanity is a Christian organization, however, homeowners are chosen without regard to race, religion or ethnic group. Habitat also welcomes volunteers from all faiths, or no faith, who actively embrace Habitat's goal of eliminating poverty housing from the world. Habitat for Humanity of East King County homeowners come from all backgrounds and walks of life. Habitat for Humanity does not discriminate against families on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital or familial status, age or disability. In fact, diversity is celebrated!
MYTH: Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter founded Habitat for Humanity.
FACT: Habitat was started in 1976 in Americus, Ga., by Millard Fuller and his wife Linda. President Carter and his wife Rosalynn (who live eight miles from Americus, in Plains, Ga.), have been longtime Habitat supporters and volunteers who help bring national attention to the organization's home-building work. Each year, they lead the Jimmy Carter Work Project to help build houses and raise awareness of the need for affordable housing.
MYTH: Habitat for Humanity International dictates policy and practices for every local Habitat organization.
FACT: Habitat operates through locally governed affiliates with a strong emphasis on grassroots organizations and local autonomy. Habitat affiliates are independent, nonprofit organizations that operate within specific service areas in a covenant relationship with Habitat for Humanity International.
MYTH: Habitat houses reduce property values in a neighborhood.
FACT: Low-cost housing studies in the United States and Canada show affordable housing has no adverse effect on other neighborhood property values. In fact, Habitat houses have increased property values and local government tax income.
FACT: Habitat for Humanity of East King County provides homeownership opportunities to deserving families unable to obtain conventional house financing—generally, those whose income is less than 50 percent of the area's median income. Partner Families must complete 500 hours of sweat equity before purchasing their homes and attend education courses focused on budgeting, credit repair, home maintenance, and disaster preparedness. Habitat for Humanity provides a "hand up, not a hand out" to families in need of decent, affordable housing and sells homes on zero-interest loans. Habitat is able to keep construction costs down through volunteer labor and donations.
MYTH: You have to be Christian to become a Habitat homeowner.
FACT: Habitat for Humanity is a Christian organization, however, homeowners are chosen without regard to race, religion or ethnic group. Habitat also welcomes volunteers from all faiths, or no faith, who actively embrace Habitat's goal of eliminating poverty housing from the world. Habitat for Humanity of East King County homeowners come from all backgrounds and walks of life. Habitat for Humanity does not discriminate against families on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital or familial status, age or disability. In fact, diversity is celebrated!
MYTH: Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter founded Habitat for Humanity.
FACT: Habitat was started in 1976 in Americus, Ga., by Millard Fuller and his wife Linda. President Carter and his wife Rosalynn (who live eight miles from Americus, in Plains, Ga.), have been longtime Habitat supporters and volunteers who help bring national attention to the organization's home-building work. Each year, they lead the Jimmy Carter Work Project to help build houses and raise awareness of the need for affordable housing.
MYTH: Habitat for Humanity International dictates policy and practices for every local Habitat organization.
FACT: Habitat operates through locally governed affiliates with a strong emphasis on grassroots organizations and local autonomy. Habitat affiliates are independent, nonprofit organizations that operate within specific service areas in a covenant relationship with Habitat for Humanity International.
MYTH: Habitat houses reduce property values in a neighborhood.
FACT: Low-cost housing studies in the United States and Canada show affordable housing has no adverse effect on other neighborhood property values. In fact, Habitat houses have increased property values and local government tax income.
posted by Emily Fortman at
4:36 PM
