Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Links

• The International Organization
• What is our mission?
• What is our vision?
• What is Habitat for Humanity?
• Size and Scope of the Organization
• The Concept
• Who qualifies for a Habitat home?
• How are Partner Families chosen?
• What do families contribute
  and what do they receive in return?
• How does Habitat acquire land?
• How are the homes built?
• How does this program benefit families
  and communities in the long-run?
• The Economy
• How are homes funded?
• How is this a "hand up", not a "hand out"?
• The revolving fund for humanity
• Habitat for Humanity ReStore
• What can I expect to find?
• What materials can be donated?

The International Organization

What is our mission?

Our mission is to mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting homeownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty.

What is our vision?

Our vision is working towards a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live.

What is Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is a worldwide organization dedicated to eliminating poverty housing and homelessness by building homes in partnership with low income families. Affordable Habitat houses are made possible through volunteer labour and generous donations of money, material and services

Size and Scope of the Organization

Habitat for Humanity has built more than 300,000 homes worldwide, housing over 1.5 million people. A new home is dedicated worldwide every 21 minutes. Habitat for Humanity Canada has dedicated more than 1000 homes from coast to coast since its inception in 1985 in MB. There are 71 affiliate offices across Canada in all 10 provinces and 3 territories.

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The Concept

Who Qualifies for a Habitat home?

The three criteria to qualify for a Habitat home are:

• Need for affordable/adequate housing - defined by a family income that is below the government set Low Income Cut-Off for their particular region, and exisiting living conditions that are inadequate in terms of structure, cost, safety or size. The ratio of shelter expense to total income is also factored. Current housing that is too small, unhealthy, in disrepair or dysfunctionaly for family needs or generally unsafe also classifies the NEED for adequate housing.


• Ability to repay a Habitat mortgage - requires that the family has a stable income sufficient to cover the monthly mortgage payments and other expenses that come with home ownership.


• Willingness to partner with Habitat - by contributing 500 hours of volunteer labour ("Sweat Equity") towards the build of their home. Also in promoting Habitat's program to others by speaking to the media and sharing stories of how this will change their families future.

How are Partner Families chosen?

Partner Families are chosen on the basis of the above criteria. Family selection occurs at the local affiliate by way of an application process.

What do families contribute and what do they receive in return?

In addition to mortgage payments, each homeowner invests their own labour "sweat equity" to build their home and other Habitat homes. In return, Habitat homeowners are given unique opportunity to buy a home through an interest-free mortgage. Thus, gaining substantial equity they would not have if renting. They also acquire a safe, affordable place to live and thrive along with the pride of ownership.

How does Habitat acquire land?

Acquiring affordable land has been one of Habitat for Humanity's greatest challenges. Habitat seeks the assistance of governments at all levels in acquiring suitable donated or cost-reduced land. Habitat also relies on individual donors for land donations. In many cases affiliates must purchase land.

How are the homes built?

Homes are built through volunteer labour, efficient management and tax-deductible donations of money and materials. Hundreds of thousands of volunteers from all walks of life participate in Habitat builds, either individually or as a group - by building, fundraising or servicing the local Habitat committees. Churches, schools, buisnesses and community organization often send a team of volunteers to Habitat builds.

Habitat homes follow standardized design criteria that maintain the "simple and decent" archetype. Most Habitat projects are single dwellings or semi-detached homes, but Habitat for Humanity is expanding its build projects to include restoration and refurbishments, condominiums and townhouse style projects.

How does this program benefit families and communities in the long-run?

Over time, a family's equity in their home increases. Habitat families also often see an improvement in their financial situation since the percentage of their income being spent on housing remains at 25%. Prior to purchasing a Habitat home many of these families are spending over 50% of their income on rent.

A safe, healthy living environment contributes to the positive growth and development of children. Habitat has recorded many examples of children within Habitat families becoming healthier, completing a post-secondary education and establishing successful careers.

Communities benefit as former renters become homeowners who contribute to the tax base. Habitat build projects also offer an opportunity for community members, of all walks of life, to come together and work side by side in a meaningful way.

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The Economy

How are the homes funded?

Habitat builds home with volunteer labour and as much donated or cost-reduced material as possible. Fundraising takes place to help offset expenses of materials, services and land when they are not available through donations. Financial support is received from individuals, corporations, service groups and the faith community.

How is this a "hand up", not a "hand out"?

Habitat homes are sold to families, not given to them free of charge. In addition, families help to build their own home. By building homes at low cost and not charging interest on the mortgage, Habitat for Humanity is able to provide "an opportunity", or a "hand up", for a family that would not otherwise qualify for a conventional mortgage.

The Revolving Fund fo Humanity

Mortgage payments from the homeowners are retained by the affiliated to fund future projects. The "homeowners" monthly mortage payments go into a fund that is used to build more homes. The more homes that exist, the more cash flow there is available for further building. This "revolving fund for humanity" fuels exponential growth in the number of houses that are built over time.

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Habitat for Humanity ReStore

Habitat for Humanity ReStores are building supply stores that accept and resell new and gently used building materials. They generate funds to support Habitat's building programs, while reducing the amount used materials that are headed for the overflowing landfill sites! They are environmentally friendly stores that make sense!

What can I expect to find

You can expect things like: windows, doors, paint, hardware, lumber, tools, lighting fixtures and even the kitchen sink! Items are donated daily so each trip will bring you something new! For the do-it-yourselfer, the ReStore is the first place to visit for inexpensive renovations.

What materials can be donated?

ReStore accepts reusable building materials such as items listed above. Donations are accepted daily so instead of throwing old tools and materials in the garbage, retailers and contractors are urged to call the local ReStore to find out if their materials can be used somewhere else.

Retailers and manufacturers can donate remnant and end-of-line product, scratch-and-dent, discontinued inventory, paint miss-tints and customer returns to the ReStore and avoid the cost of returning them to the manufacturer.

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