The Truth About Habitat for Humanity
by Brother Rogers
The Starkville Area Habitat for Humanity recently completed its 46th house. This organization has a great ministry in our community, and is a local agency of the United Way. Despite Habitat’s success, many myths persist about what Habitat is and what it isn’t. Today’s column is devoted to debunking these myths.
Myth 1: Habitat for Humanity gives houses to the poor.
Truth: Houses are not given to anyone. Habitat for Humanity builds houses with those in need and then sells the houses to homeowner partners. In addition to repaying the zero-interest, no-profit mortgage, homeowners are required to invest 500 hours of “sweat equity” – time spent building their own house or other Habitat houses.
Myth 2: Habitat for Humanity builds houses only for minorities.
Truth: Habitat doesn’t build houses for anyone. It builds houses with people in need without regard to race, gender, creed, marital status or national origin. Three criteria drive the family selection process: need for adequate shelter; ability to repay the no-profit, no-interest mortgage; and a willingness to partner with Habitat.
Myth 3: You have to be a Christian to become a Habitat homeowner.
Truth: Habitat for Humanity was founded as, and unashamedly remains, a Christian ministry. However, homeowners are chosen without regard to creed, both in keeping with requirements of the law and Habitat’s belief that God’s love extends to all – regardless of race, creed or nationality.
Myth 4: Habitat for Humanity was started by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.
Truth: Habitat for Humanity International was started in Americus, Georgia in 1976 by Millard Fuller along with his wife, Linda. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn (whose home in Plains is just eight miles from Americus), have been longtime Habitat supporters and volunteers, who help bring national and international attention to the organization’s house-building work.
Myth 5: Habitat for Humanity is an arm of the government.
Truth: Habitat for Humanity is an independent, nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. It is not an arm of the government, nor of any particular church. Habitat does not accept government funds for house construction. Habitat does accept government funds for streets, utilities and administrative expenses, so long as the funds have no strings attached that would limit its ability to proclaim its Christian witness.
Habitat’s goal is to eliminate substandard housing so that people can live and grow into all that God intended. They are about to begin construction on their next house. To find out how you can help, call 324-7008 or visit http://www.starkvillehabitat.com/.
The Starkville Area Habitat for Humanity recently completed its 46th house. This organization has a great ministry in our community, and is a local agency of the United Way. Despite Habitat’s success, many myths persist about what Habitat is and what it isn’t. Today’s column is devoted to debunking these myths.
Myth 1: Habitat for Humanity gives houses to the poor.
Truth: Houses are not given to anyone. Habitat for Humanity builds houses with those in need and then sells the houses to homeowner partners. In addition to repaying the zero-interest, no-profit mortgage, homeowners are required to invest 500 hours of “sweat equity” – time spent building their own house or other Habitat houses.
Myth 2: Habitat for Humanity builds houses only for minorities.
Truth: Habitat doesn’t build houses for anyone. It builds houses with people in need without regard to race, gender, creed, marital status or national origin. Three criteria drive the family selection process: need for adequate shelter; ability to repay the no-profit, no-interest mortgage; and a willingness to partner with Habitat.
Myth 3: You have to be a Christian to become a Habitat homeowner.
Truth: Habitat for Humanity was founded as, and unashamedly remains, a Christian ministry. However, homeowners are chosen without regard to creed, both in keeping with requirements of the law and Habitat’s belief that God’s love extends to all – regardless of race, creed or nationality.
Myth 4: Habitat for Humanity was started by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.
Truth: Habitat for Humanity International was started in Americus, Georgia in 1976 by Millard Fuller along with his wife, Linda. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn (whose home in Plains is just eight miles from Americus), have been longtime Habitat supporters and volunteers, who help bring national and international attention to the organization’s house-building work.
Myth 5: Habitat for Humanity is an arm of the government.
Truth: Habitat for Humanity is an independent, nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. It is not an arm of the government, nor of any particular church. Habitat does not accept government funds for house construction. Habitat does accept government funds for streets, utilities and administrative expenses, so long as the funds have no strings attached that would limit its ability to proclaim its Christian witness.
Habitat’s goal is to eliminate substandard housing so that people can live and grow into all that God intended. They are about to begin construction on their next house. To find out how you can help, call 324-7008 or visit http://www.starkvillehabitat.com/.
