Frequently Asked Question's

Is Jimmy Carter the founder of Habitat for Humanity?

No. Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter became volunteers in 1986. They are personal friends of our founders, Millard and Linda Fuller. Every year they hold a “Jimmy Carter Work Project” for one week somewhere in the world. This year, the JCWP will be in South Central and East Los Angeles in October 2007, hosted by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles. Please go to www.habitatla.org for more information.

What is Habitat for Humanity International?

Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. HFHI seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.

Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, ethnics and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need.

Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller, and has built over 225 thousand homes around the world, providing more than 1 million people in more than 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter.

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, financed with affordable, no-interest 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 mortage 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 $66,200 in the United States and an average of $75,000 in the Coachella Valley.

Habitat houses are affordable for low-income families because there is no profit included in the sale price and no interest charged on the 20-30 year mortgage.

What are Habitat affiliates?

Habitat for Humanity's work is accomplished at the community level by affiliates -- independent, locally run, nonprofit organizations. 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.

How are the partner families selected?

Families in need of decent shelter apply to local Habitat affiliates. The affiliate'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 no-interest loan. Every affiliate follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing the families who receive Habitat houses.

How can I become a volunteer?

To volunteer click here

Other opportunities to support Habitat's work also are available -- donate online.