About Us

          
What is Habitat for Humanity?
Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that seeks to provide a decent house in a decent community for all of God's people in need. Habitat invites people from all backgrounds, races and religions to build homes with partner families. Habitat for Humanity International 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.  

Waco Habitat for Humanity has build over 120 homes since its inception in 1986.  Its partner families earn between 30% and 60% of median income and have very limited access to decent, affordable housing much less the opportunity of home ownership.

The problem of poverty housing is great in Waco where the home ownership rate is just 46%---significantly lower than state and national averages near 65%.  The population Waco Habitat serves (incomes at 30-60% of median) has very limited access to decent housing.  In the area that Waco Habitat serves, the poverty rate is 36% and the homeownership rate is 38%.  Waco Habitat is unique in its ability to provide partner families an opportunity to own a decent, affordable home.  It does so based on the idea that home ownership is a sustainable solution to poverty housing that fosters the long term stability of a community.

How does it work?
Through volunteer labor and tax-deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat builds simple, decent houses with the help of homeowner (partner) families. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at cost and financed with affordable, no-interest loans. The homeowner's monthly mortgage payments go into a revolving Fund for Humanity that is used to build more houses.

Habitat is not a giveaway program. In addition to the monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest at least 300 hours of their own labor--sweat equity--into building their house and the houses of others as well as completing New Homeowners College.  Partner families then purchase their home at cost through a zero-interest mortgage.  Habitat homeowners' mortgage payments help fund more houses in our community, and their property tax payments total over $115,000 annually.

With the support of a concerned community, Habitat works.  Waco Habitat relies on community support---volunteer labor and tax-deductible donations of money and materials---to fulfill its mission.  People from all walks of life are invited to participate, regardless of skill level or religious beliefs.  Be part of the solution!

How are partner families selected?
Those who wish to become partner families (or individuals) must first submit an application to Waco Habitat. The family selection committee then 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. Habitat follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection. For additional information about the application process, including sweat equity requirements, please see Apply for a Home.

How much does a Habitat house cost?
Houses built by Waco Habitat for Humanity cost approximately $65,000. These houses are affordable for low-income families because there is no profit included in the sale price and no interest charged on the 25-year mortgage. The average mortgage payment of $350 (including taxes & insurance) is less than most families pay to rent substandard housing.

History
Founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller, Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness worldwide, and to making adequate, affordable shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat invites people from all faiths and walks of life to work together in partnership, building houses with families in need.

Habitat and its Affiliates
Habitat is a worldwide, grassroots movement with more than 2,100 active affiliates in 100 countries, including all 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico. Use the Habitat for Humanity International affiliate search to find Habitat affiliates in other areas.  Over 250,000 Habitat homes have been built worldwide.

Concerned citizens from all walks of life come together as volunteers to form a Habitat affiliate in their community. Fundraising, house construction, family selection and other key decisions are carried out by the local affiliates. HFHI headquarters, located in Americus, Ga., provides information, training, support and other services to Habitat affiliates worldwide.

Donations
Donations are used as designated by the donor. Gifts to Waco Habitat that are designated to a specific building project are allocated accordingly. Undesignated gifts are used where most needed. For a link to Waco Habitat's most recent IRS 990 report, visit the Donate page.

Management
Waco Habitat's board of directors determines policy and monitors operations in conjunction with a board of advisors. Board members are dedicated volunteers who are deeply concerned about the problems of poverty housing in our community. We operate with an administrative staff, assisted by a core group of clerical and support employees, and supplemented by long-term and short-term volunteers. View board list.

Government Support
Habitat for Humanity is not a government program. Waco Habitat raises most funds locally and uses them to purchase all materials and any contracted labor necessary for actual construction. Government funds are used only if no strings are attached that would violate Habitat's principles. Waco Habitat for Humanity enjoys a good relationship with local and state government and uses government funds in a limited way on the instrastructure (fill dirt, curbs & sidewalks) and project supervision for each house.  By partnering with the government in this way, Waco Habitat has been able to increase substantially the number of families it serves.