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1. When was Habitat for Humanity started?
Millard and Linda Fuller founded Habitat for Humanity International
in 1976. The concept was born at Koinonia Farm, a small, interracial
Christian farming community founded in 1942 outside of Americus,
Georgia, by farmer and biblical scholar Clarence Jordan. The Fullers
first visited Koinonia in 1965, having recently left a successful
business and all the trappings of an affluent lifestyle to begin a
new life of Christian service. At Koinonia, Jordan and Fuller
developed the concept of "partnership housing" --- where those in
need of adequate shelter would work side by side with volunteers to
build simple, decent houses. That concept became Habitat for
Humanity.
Through the work of Habitat, thousands of low-income families have
found new hope in the form of affordable housing. Habitat for
Humanity has built more than 200,000 houses, sheltering more than
1,000,000 people in some 3,000 communities worldwide and becoming a
true world leader in addressing the issue of poverty housing.(1)
Churches, community groups and others continue to join together to
in an effort to provide decent housing for all.
2. What is President Jimmy Carter’s relationship to Habitat for
Humanity?
In 1984, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn,
took their first Habitat work trip, the Jimmy Carter Work Project,
to New York City. Their personal involvement in Habitat's ministry
brought the organization national visibility and sparked interest in
Habitat's work across the nation. HFHI experienced a dramatic
increase in the number of new affiliates around the country as a
result of the Carters’ involvement.
3. When was Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity (RVHFH) founded?
Raritan Valley Habitat was founded in 1992 by a group of area
residents concerned about the lack of affordable housing in our
region. RVHFH completed its first home in 1994.
4. What is the relationship between HFHI and RVHFH?
RVHFH is an affiliate of HFHI, serving Somerset and Hunterdon
counties in central New Jersey. Habitat is a “grass roots”
organization. Like all Habitat affiliates, RVHFH receives guidance
from HFHI on programs and policies but operates independently,
raising all of our own funds to finance land purchases, home
construction and other expenses. Each year, RVHFH pays a tithe to
HFHI on unrestricted donations (those not specifically designated to
support the construction of a local home).
5. Where does RVHFH build, and how are sites selected?
RVHFH serves Somerset and Hunterdon counties in central New Jersey.
We build in both counties, wherever we can find affordable property
suitable for building. The Site Selection committee identifies and
reviews potential properties on an ongoing basis. All properties
must be located in a safe place to raise a family, and must suitable
for building a single family home or duplex.
6. How long does it normally take to build a Habitat home?
Like any construction project, construction variables (such as the
weather and inspection approvals) have an impact on the timeline.
However, construction of a home takes approximately eight months to
complete.
7. How are families selected to become homeowners?
Partner families are selected based on:
-
their need for affordable housing
-
their willingness to partner by contributing sweat equity
(labor)
-
their ability to repay a no-interest mortgage from RVHFH
All applicants are required to attend an orientation session. They
submit an application and supply a variety of documentation to
support their application. The Family Selection Committee reviews
the applications and selects qualified families for home visits and
interviews. The RVHFH Board of Trustees makes the final selection.
For more information see our Homeowners section.
8. How much does a single-family house cost to build?
The average construction cost of a 1,100 square foot, single-family
home is approximately $100,000, not including the cost of the
property or infrastructure. Building costs (and mortgage costs) are
kept at a low level due to volunteer labor and donated materials or
materials purchased at a reduced cost.
9. How much does the partner family pay for their new home?
RVHFH sells each home to the partner family at a price reflecting
the construction cost, currently. The cost of land,
infrastructure and construction management is not passed along to
the family.
10. How does the partner family finance the home purchase?
RVHFH provides a zero-interest mortgage for each family, with terms
tailored to the family’s ability to pay. All mortgage payments are
recycled to fund the construction of more homes.
11. Who maintains the home once the family has moved in?
Like any homeowner, the family is responsible for home maintenance,
as well as mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, and utilities. RVHFH
provides guidance regarding home maintenance, but does not provide
actual maintenance services once the family has moved in.
12. Are all the people who work on the homes volunteers?
No. The Construction Director and Site Supervisors are RVHFH
employees with significant building experience. Professional crews
are also utilized for some services, such as plumbing, spackling and electrical
systems. Many of our professional crews provide their services
either free or at a reduced cost as a way of donating to RVHFH.
13. How can I become more involved with RVHFH?
See our Volunteer section, or
contact us for further info.
14. How can I donate to RVHFH?
See our Donations section, or
contact us for further info.
1.NOTE: Based on) "The History of Habitat for Humanity
International", Habitat for Humanity International Website. (8
August 2003).
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