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, races and religions to build together in partnership with families in need.

Habitat has built more than 200,000 houses around the world, providing more than one million people in more than 3,000 communities with safe, decent, and affordable shelter. HFHI was founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller along with his wife Linda. In 2005, Habitat for Humanity moved its international office to Atlanta, Georgia.

What are Habitat for Humanity affiliates?

Habitat for Humanity is a worldwide, grass roots organization, whose work is accomplished at the community level by affiliates like Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis. Each affiliate is an independent, locally run nonprofit organization. Each affiliate coordinates all aspects of habitat home building in its local area—fundraising, building site selection, partner family selection and support, house construction and mortgage servicing.

All Habitat affiliates are asked to "tithe" -- to give ten 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.

» Look for affiliates throughout the U.S.

Was Habitat for Humanity started by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter?

Habitat for Humanity was started in Americus, Georgia in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wide Rosalyn (whose home in Plains is just eight miles from Americus) have been longtime habitat supporters and volunteers. The Carters’ involvement brings national and international attention to the organization’s house-building work, and their annual Jimmy Carter Work Project (JCWP) raises not only houses, but also awareness of the need for affordable housing.

Does Habitat for Humanity give houses to poor people?

Habitat does not give houses to anyone. Through volunteer labor and donations of money and material, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of 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 more Habitat houses. Habitat homeowners have incomes that are typically 20-25 percent of the median income in the area.

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 and volunteering at other area nonprofits.

» Volunteer for Memphis Habitat

Are Habitat homeowners on welfare?

Some Habitat homeowners do receive public assistance, but most are the working poor. Habitat for Humanity works in good faith with people who are at risk in society, knowing that owning a home is not the answer to every problem, but can be an important step - often the first step - toward helping people break out of the cycle of poverty.

How are partner families chosen?

Families in need of decent shelter submit an application to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis after attending a homeowner application orientation. The 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. 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, click on the link below to find out more about the homeowner application orientation and other requirements for becoming a partner family.

» Learn more about our the homeowner selection process.

What does a Habitat house cost?

The cost of building a Habitat house in Memphis is $55,000. Each house is sponsored at the $55,000 level by local individuals and organizations.
Habitat houses are affordable for low-income families because there is no profit included in the sale price and no interest charged on the mortgage. Mortgage length varies from 20 to 30 years.

» Learn how you or your business, church group, or community group can sponsor a Habitat house.

What are Habitat houses like?

Simple. Habitat houses are modestly sized -- large enough for the homeowner family's needs, but small enough to keep construction and maintenance costs to a minimum. The typical Habitat house in Memphis is about 1,000 square feet, has one bathroom, a covered primary entrance, and doors and hallways wide enough to accomodate a wheelchair.

Decent. Habitat uses quality, locally available building materials. Trained staff supervise Habitat house construction and educate volunteers and partner families.

Affordable. The labor of volunteers and partner families, efficient building methods, modest house sizes and a no-profit, no-interest loan make it affordable for low-income people around the world to purchase a Habitat for Humanity house.

Where does Habitat for Humanity operate?

Habitat is a worldwide, grass-roots movement. There are more than 1,900 active affiliates in 83 countries, including all 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico.

How are donations distributed and used?

Donations to Memphis Habitat are used as designated by the donor. Gifts made to Habitat for Humanity International do not support the efforts of affiliates like Memphis unless specifically requested.

» Donate to Memphis Habitat online

How does Habitat work with the government?

Habitat for Humanity International is not a government agency, nor does it accept government funds for the construction of houses. However, Habitat considers all levels of government and governmental agencies important partners in its mission to eliminate poverty housing. We encourage governments to do what they can to help alleviate the suffering of all those who have no decent, adequate place to live.

Habitat for Humanity welcomes partnerships with governments to help "set the stage" for the construction of houses. Stage-setting funding and gifts might include land, houses for rehabilitation, infrastructure for streets, utilities and administrative expenses.

How can I get more information?

Further explore our website, or contact us.