Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), generally referred to as Habitat for Humanity or Habitat, is a U.S. non-governmental, and tax-exempt 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization which seeks to build affordable housing.[1] It was founded in 1976 by couple Millard and Linda Fuller. The international operational headquarters are located in Americus, Georgia, United States, with the administrative headquarters located in Atlanta.[2] As of 2023, Habitat for Humanity operates in more than 70 countries.[3]
Founded
1976
Americus, Georgia, U.S.
Millard Fuller
Linda Fuller
- Administrative headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
- Global/international headquarters: Americus, Georgia, U.S.
"Building simple, decent and affordable housing"
Protecting human rights
Jonathan Reckford, CEO
Habitat for Humanity works to help build and improve homes for families of low-income or disadvantaged backgrounds. Homes are built using volunteer labor, including that of Habitat homeowners through the practice of sweat equity, as well as paid contractors for certain construction or infrastructure activities as needed.[4] Habitat makes no profit from the sales.[2] In some locations outside the United States, Habitat for Humanity charges interest to protect against inflation, a policy that has been in place since 1986.
The organization operates with financial support from national governments, philanthropic foundations, corporations, and mass media companies.[5]
Ongoing programs[edit]
A Brush With Kindness[edit]
Habitat for Humanity's A Brush With Kindness is a locally operated program serving low-income homeowners who struggle to maintain the exterior of their homes. The program is a holistic approach to providing affordable housing and assisting communities as well as families. Groups of volunteers help homeowners with exterior maintenance. This typically includes painting, minor exterior repairs, landscaping, weatherization and exterior clean-up.[8]
Affiliates[edit]
Jacksonville[edit]
Habitat for Humanity of Jacksonville (called HabiJax), is the largest affiliate of Habitat for Humanity (HFH) in the United States.[9][10] Habijax was named the eighth-largest homebuilder in the United States by Builder magazine for 2009.[11] HabiJax in 2023 marked 35 years of service and has provided homes to over 2,300 families.[12][13]
Other special initiatives[edit]
Habitat Bicycle Challenge[edit]
The Habitat Bicycle Challenge (HBC), a nine-week, coast-to-coast bicycle trip undertaken to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven and to increase awareness of Habitat for Humanity in general, took place annually from 1995 to 2007. Prior to embarking in June on the 4,000-mile (6,400 km) trek, participants engaged in a seven-month fundraising campaign for Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven. Once on the road, they served as roaming advertisements for Habitat and gave nightly presentations explaining Habitat's mission to their hosts, usually church congregations. They also took part in builds with local Habitat chapters along the way. At its height, HBC attracted about 90 participants a year, all aged 18 to 24 and about half coming from Yale University. Each rider traveled one of three routes: New Haven to San Francisco, New Haven to Portland, or New Haven to Seattle. By 2004 HBC had become the single largest yearly fundraiser for any Habitat affiliate in the world, raising about $400,000 a year. However, amid growing safety concerns, Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven was forced to announce the cancellation of HBC in September 2007.[35]
Criticism[edit]
Cost-effectiveness[edit]
Habitat has been criticized for its slow and inefficient rebuilding efforts along the Gulf Coast after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.[40]
An article in the Weekly Standard, an American opinion magazine, questioned the cost-effectiveness of Habitat building projects. To estimate cost effectiveness, The Weekly Standard alleged that all costs associated with building a Habitat home must be used, including the cost of volunteer time and training.[41]
Habitat affiliates in the region have remained some of the largest homebuilders in their areas and have received numerous awards and acknowledgements for their work in building quality homes.[42]
Partnering with low-income families[edit]
Families are required to show an ability to pay for their home in addition to the need for housing. With these requirements, homeless and low-income families may fail to qualify for a Habitat home. Most American Habitat affiliates perform credit checks and criminal record checks on applicants before partnering with them for the construction of a home. Some critics therefore allege that Habitat misrepresents the nature of its work by partnering with families that might be considered nearly "middle-income".[41] To address this, many Habitat affiliates in the United States partner only with families that fall below the government-set "poverty line" for their area. The current poverty rate is measured according to the United States Department of Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines.[43]
Ousting of the founder[edit]
The Habitat board investigated Millard Fuller for sexual harassment but found "insufficient proof of inappropriate conduct." Some Fuller supporters claim that the firing was due to a change in corporate culture.[44]
Before Fuller's termination, attempts were made by former President Jimmy Carter to broker an agreement that would allow Fuller to retire with his $79,000 salary intact; when Fuller was found to have violated the non-disclosure portion of this agreement, he was subsequently fired, and his wife, Linda was also fired.[45]
