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Habitat for Humanity Separating MYTH from FACTMisperceptions abound about the homebuilder's motives and funding.
For one thing, it's not all about Jimmy Carter.
by Kimberly McKinney, Executive Director
published in St. Louis Post-Dispatch, July 15, 2003
In addition to being the country's best-known affordable-housing provider, Habitat for Humanity is one of the top homebuilders in the nation. Locally, Habitat has built more than 130 houses in the St. Louis area since our founding in 1986, putting us in the top 10 percent of affiliates in the United States.
The need for affordable housing in St Louis has continued to grow. It is our goal to keep up with this need, but doing so required more than the efforts of our staff and volunteers alone. It also required the financial support of St. Louis area corporations and orgnizations. Unfortunately, our success and high profile are also accompanied by a number of misperceptions, leading local businesses to believe that we don't need their help. Below are some of the mispercpetions we often hear, and the truth behind them. MYTH:
Habitat was founded, and is funded by Jimmy Carter.
FACT:
Millard and Linda Fuller founded Habitat in 1976, based on the concept of partnership housing, where those in need of shelter would work side-by-side with volunteers to build simple, decent houses. Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, annually host the Jimmy Carter Work Project. Their personal involvement has brought Habitat national visibility and sparked interest in our work across the nation, but this does not generate funding for local Habitat affiliates. To build houses in the St. Louis area, we depend on funding from local sponsors.
MYTH:
Habitat gives away houses.
FACT:
Habitat for Humanity does not offer families a handout; it gives them hope and help in realizing they can make a better life for themselves and their children. Currently, a three-bedroom Habitat house is sold to a partner family for $74,500. Loans are interest-free, amortized over 20-25 years. The intial monthly load payment is generally $275, including principal, taxes and insurance, and $15 for a major-repair reserve, which is held in escrow in the family's name. The mortgage payments are depositied into a revolving "Fund for Humanity" which supports the construction of more houses. This fund covers only a portion of the cost of building houses. The remainder comes from our local fund-raising efforts.
MYTH:
Local Habitat chapters are funded by Habitat for Humanity International and only need to supply volunteers for local builds.
FACT:
While Habitat for Humanity International provides name-brand recognition for its affiliates, it provides no financial support. Our building efforts depend on the financial support of the local community. Locally, we coordinate all aspects of Habitat homebuilding, fund-raising, building site selection, partner-family selection and support, house construction and mortgage servicing. We rely on partnerships with the local community to fulfill our homebuilding goals. This process brings together people from diverse economic backgrounds and different religious backgrounds, along with various sizes and types of corporations, and many profit and nonprofit organization in the St. Louis area. Additionally, local Habitat affiliates pay money back to International to support housing activities in Third-World countries.
MYTH:
Habitat receives all of the building materials it needs through donations.
FACT:
Some services and materials are donated. However, we buy or rent many of the materials for our building projects using cash contributions from house sponsors and individuals. We are always looking for contributions of money, land and/or building materials from local corporations and organizations. It is this support that has allowed us to become one of the nation's top Habitat affiliates. MYTH:
Habitat provides houses only for Christians, and works only with churches.
FACT:
Habitat is an ecumenical ministry committed to eliminating substandard housing, and we welcome volunteers and sponsors from all faiths. Homeowners are chosen without regard to race, religion or ethnic group. We wlecome partnerships with large corporations, small local businesses, religious groups and community organizations. It is not uncommon to see people from a variety of faiths, ethnic groups, economic levels and business backgrounds working side-by-side at our builds.
MYTH:
Habitat for Humanity St. Louis does not need assistance from local corporations and organizations.
FACT:
The only way Habitat homes can be built in the St. Louis area is with the support of local corporations and organizations, and being a Habitat sponsor has its benefits. Many corporations, for example, use the Habitat experience as a team-building exercise; working together at the site fosters employee loyalty and improves teamwork.
Companies also receive recognition as good corporate neighbors. More basically, helping eliminate substandard housing provides a stronger economic foundation for the metropolitan region, attracts higher quality employees and provides a stronger customer base.
The need for affordable housing continues, as does the need for support from the St. Louis business community. Construction a home takes more than just drywall and paint; it takes everything from filling the foundation and building the frameowrk, to insulating the roof and wiring the electricity.
It also takes a financial commitment from the community. The reaons that companies sponsor Habitat houses vary. What does not vary is the joy and happiness we can bring to a family by working together. How you can help: For information about volunteering, donations or tributes, contact: Habitat for Humanity St. Louis
3763 Forest Park Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63108
(314) 371-0400 For information on sponsoring a home, making a corporate or organizational donation, or sponsoring a fund-raiser, call Courtney Pittman, Director of Resources, at (314) 371-0400 x17 or send a note to courtney@habitatstl.org.
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