Habitat for Humanity: myths and truths
By Jana E. Pye, Editor, editor@newsandpress.net
“Everyone—all of us, every last person on God’s earth—deserves decent shelter. It speaks to the most basic of human needs—our home—the soil from which all of us, every last person, either blossom or wither. We each have need of food, clothing, education, medical care, and companionship; but first, we must have a place to live and grow.”
Millard Fullard
Founder of Habitat for Humanity International
“To tell you the truth, some people don’t really know what we do at Habitat for Humanity.” said Mark Haenchen. “And we really want to share our mission with all of Darlington County. We are here for everyone.”
The Darlington County Habitat for Humanity began in 1996 as part of the global, nonprofit housing organization that was founded in twenty years earlier in Georgia. Since they began, the local Habitat has built 43 homes, and 61 homes overseas.
Major sponsors for the organization include Nucor Steel, Darlington Raceway, Wells Fargo & The Byerly Foundation.
The next homeowner workshop will be sometime after the first of the year. Interested families are encouraged to call to be placed on their list to contact for the workshop: 843-383-8500.
At the workshop, information about the program will be discussed, and participants will have the opportunity to apply for a home. Assistance with the application is available. To speed up the application process please bring copies of the following documents: driver’s license, social security card, birth certificate, most recent tax return and pay stubs. Be sure to attend the workshop as you must attend to receive your application.
The following are common “myths and truths” of Habitat:
Myth: Habitat for Humanity gives houses away to poor people
Fact: Habitat for Humanity offers a homeownership opportunity to families unable to obtain conventional house financing – generally, those whose income is 40 to 80 percent of the area’s median income. In most cases, prospective Habitat homeowner families make a down payment and contribute 300 – 400 hours of “sweat equity” on the construction of their home or someone else’s home. Because Habitat houses are built using donations of land, material and labor, mortgage payments are kept affordable.
Myth: Habitat houses 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 houses have increased property values and local government tax income.
Myth: Habitat builds houses only for minorities
Fact: Habitat builds houses in partnership with families in need – regardless of race, religion or any other difference – who meet three criteria: need, willingness to partner; and the ability to repay the no-interest, no-profit mortgage.
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. Habitat also welcomes volunteers from all faiths, or no faith, who actively embrace Habitat’s goal of eliminating poverty housing.
Myth: Habitat houses allow people to move from poverty to fancy new houses
Fact: Any newly build house is going to be a dramatic change for a family that has been living in poverty. But Habitat houses are not extravagant by any standard. Habitat’s philosophy is to build simple, decent, affordable homes.
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 house-building work. Each year, they lead the Jimmy Carter Work Project to help build houses and raise awareness of the need for affordable housing.
For more information on the local Darlington County Habitat for Humanity, contact: 843-383-8500 www.darcohabitat.org.