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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 has built more than 400,000 decent, affordable houses and served more than 2 million around the world. HFHI was founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller along with his wife Linda.
How does it work?
Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses alongside our homeowner partner families.
- Habitat is not a giveaway program. In addition to a down payment and monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor (sweat equity) into building their Habitat house and the houses of others.
- Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with affordable loans.
- The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are used to build still more Habitat houses.
How are families selected?
Families living or working in York County who ain need of decent shelter apply to Habitat for Humanity York County.
- HfHYC 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 loan.
- HfHYC follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection.
- Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing the families who receive HFHYC houses.
What are Habitat affiliates?
Affiliates, such as Habitat for Humanity York County, are community-level Habitat for Humanity offices that act in partnership with and on behalf of Habitat for Humanity International.
- HfHYC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
- HfHYC coordinates all aspects of Habitat home building in York County—fundraising; building site selection; partner family selection and support; house construction; and mortgage servicing.
How much does the organization spend on "overhead" (management and fund raising)?
HfHYC is committed to keeping overhead costs to a minimum. There are two paid staff positions, the office administrator, and the project manager who is hired on a per-project basis. All other work is performed by our dedicated volunteers.
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What does a Habitat house cost?
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. Typically mortgages last for 25 years. Our average mortgage payment is $650 and including principle, taxes and insurance. The most recent project was appraised at more than twice the cost Habitat is charging the partner family. Often, families pay less to own a Habitat home than they pay for rent on a substandard apartment or house.
What happens if a family wants to sell their house?
Our partner families are not buying their house to "flip it" and make a quick profit. HfHYC is protected from flipping by taking a second "silent" mortgage on the property. This mortgage account, for all equity at completion of the home, is forgiven at the rate of 1/20th per year so long as the partner family has made timely mortgage payments. Thus, when the first mortgage is paid off, the second mortgage will be forgiven.
How can I become a volunteer?
From building to fundraising to serving on a committee, there are many different ways to volunteer! Please fill out a Volunteer Form.
What committees can I serve on?
Currently there are openings on all of HfHYC Committees for interested volunteers. Contact the office at 207-985-4850 or email us if you would like to serve on a committee.
Frequently Asked Questions about volunteering at the Build. Learn More
Can minors work on the construction site?
Due to state laws, volunteers must be 16 years old to work on the construction site. All minors under the age of 18 must arrive with a volunteer form signed by their parent or guardian. Download the Volunteer Form. Lean more about Youth Volunteers
Where has Habitat for Humanity York County built houses?
HFHYC has previously constructed single family homes in Hollis 1989, Limington: 1991, Kennebunkport: 1993, Wells: 1994 and 2002, Kennebunk: 1996, Eliot and South Berwick: 1998, York: 1999, Limerick: 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2010, Springvale: 2001, Waterboro: 2002 and 2004. Alfred 2008, Parsonsfield 2008, and York 2009. Additionally, the group has rehabilitated duplex dwellings in Sanford and Biddeford , both of which were completed in 1995. In 2008, houses were completed in Parsonsield and Alfred. Map of HfHYC builds
Are there any homes being build at present?
We are currently in the fundraising and planning stages for the 2011 Biddeford Build.
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