| Myth: |
Habitat for Humanity gives homes away to poor
people. |
| Fact: |
Habitat for Humanity International offers a home ownership opportunity
to families unable to obtain conventional home financing—generally,
those whose income is 30 to 50 percent of the area's median income.
In most cases, prospective Habitat homeowner families make a $500
down payment and contribute 300 to 500 hours of "sweat equity"
on the construction of their home or someone else's home. Because
Habitat homes are built using donations of land, material and labor,
mortgage payments are kept affordable. |
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| Myth: |
Habitat homes 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 homes have increased property values and local government
tax income. |
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| Myth: |
Only African Americans get Habitat for Humanity
homes. |
| Fact: |
Habitat builds homes in partnership with those in need—regardless
of race, religion or any other difference—who meet three criteria:
need; ability to repay the no-interest, no-profit mortgage; and a
willingness to partner with Habitat. According to the latest available
statistics (through 1997), 33 percent of Habitat homeowners are Anglo;
67 percent are people of color. |
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| 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. |
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| Myth: |
Habitat homeowners are on welfare. |
| Fact: |
While some Habitat homeowners receive Aid to Families
with Dependent Children (AFDC), many more are working people. Typically
their annual income is less than half the local median income in their
community. |
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| 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,
in keeping with U.S. law and with Habitat's abiding belief that God's
love extends to everyone. Habitat also welcomes volunteers from all
faiths, or no faith, who actively embrace Habitat's goal of eliminating
poverty housing from the world. |
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| Myth: |
Habitat for Humanity is an arm of the government. |
| Fact: |
Habitat is an ecumenical Christian housing organization.
It is neither an arm of the government nor an arm of any church or
denomination. It does not accept government funds for the construction
of new homes or for the renovation or repair of existing homes.
Habitat does accept government assistance for the acquisition of land
or homes in need of rehabilitation. Habitat also accepts government
help for streets, utilities and administrative expenses, as long as
the funds carry no obligations that would limit Habitat's ability
to proclaim its Christian witness. |
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| Myth: |
Habitat for Humanity was founded by former U.S.
President Jimmy Carter. |
| Fact: |
Habitat was started in 1976 in Americus, Ga., by Millard
Fuller along with his wife Linda. President Carter and his wife Rosalynn
(whose home is 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 homes and raise
awareness of the need for affordable housing. |
