Can you tell the difference between a Habitat for Humanity myth and fact? Learn the truth about a few common myths about Habitat.
Myth 1: Habitat for Humanity gives away homes for free
A myth is that Habitat gives away homes for free. The Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program is not a free house, but eligible families apply to the program to buy their home with an affordable mortgage. Families partner with Richmond Habitat to buy a home they love with a mortgage they can afford. Additionally, every Habitat homeowner contributes Sweat Equity hours toward buying their Habitat home. Sweat Equity is required volunteer hours applicants can obtain through financial coaching, working at the ReStore, homeowner education, the lending process, and through construction on a renovated or newly-built Habitat home and other volunteer opportunities.
Click here to learn more about the Homeownership Program.
Myth 2: Habitat houses reduce a neighborhood’s property values
Affordable housing has no adverse effect on neighborhood property values.
Myth 3: Habitat homes are only available to certain groups of people
People of all backgrounds, races, religions, etc. can partner with Habitat. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, nation of origin, gender, sexual orientation, family status, marital status or any other protected classes.
| Equal Housing Opportunity: We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin. |
Myth 4: Habitat homeowners are dependent on government assistance
Prospective Habitat homeowners may use public assistance programs to help them make ends meet. These programs help provide basic needs for many working low-income families. These programs are available for families earning less than half of the area median income. The Homeownership program and owning a Habitat home helps decrease the number of families depending on government assistance by allowing them to begin their journey in creating generational wealth and gaining home equity.
Myth 5: Habitat for Humanity International dictates policy and practices for every local Habitat organization
Local Habitat affiliates are independent, non profit organizations that operate within a specific service area and act in furtherance of the Habitat for Humanity mission Richmond Habitat serves the City of Richmond and Chesterfield and Henrico Counties in Virginia but you can find your local Habitat Affiliate here. Each affiliate focuses its building, repair, and fundraising efforts within its local area. Affiliates tithe a percentage of donations to support the global housing efforts of Habitat for Humanity International. Habitat International does share branding, marketing, and research with local affiliates to help them achieve their goals, but exercises no direct authority over local affiliates.
Myth 6: Jimmy Carter is the founder of Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity was founded by Millard and Linda Fuller—not President Jimmy Carter. Habitat for Humanity was started in 1976 in Americus, Georgia by the late Millard Fuller and his wife, Linda. The idea for the ‘fund for humanity’ was based on Reverend Clarence Jordan’s work at Koinonia Farm. He wrote, “What the poor need is not charity but capital, not case workers but co-workers.” It’s this basic philosophy of ‘co-working’ that continues to guide our work today. Former President Jimmy Carter is affiliated with Habitat for Humanity but is not the founder of Habitat. President Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, are longtime supporters and dedicated volunteers. Their home in Plains, Georgia is eight miles from Americus and they have been connected to Habitat’s mission since 1984. Each year, they lead the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project to help build houses and raise awareness of the need for affordable housing. In October of 2010, the Carter Work Project spent a week in Minneapolis and St. Paul building and repairing homes.
Myth 7: Habitat for Humanity is a governmental organization
Habitat for Humanity is a non-governmental organization. Both Habitat for Humanity International and Richmond Habitat for Humanity are independent, nonprofit organizations and are not part of the government. We do accept some government funds, grants, and property to advance our mission and our neighborhood revitalization efforts. To access these funds, we must meet certain criteria and be good stewards of those resources.
Myth 8: Habitat for Humanity builds inferior quality homes
In reality, Richmond Habitat builds quality and energy-efficient homes. The homes we develop are quality, attractive, simple, and modern homes. These homes meet or surpass building codes in the communities where we build. Volunteers are trained and supervised by Habitat staff. The plumbing, electrical, roofing, and other skilled work is done by licensed professionals. We aim to match the size and quality of the surrounding homes. By matching the other homes, it makes it more difficult for people to know which are Habitat homes and which are not.
Myth 9: Owning a Habitat home is more expensive than renting
Every family’s monthly house payment is less than 30% of their pre-tax income, so that they have more discretionary income to spend and a higher amount of savings.
It takes a lot of hard work and commitment for families to buy a Habitat home. To begin the application process, families must demonstrate their ability to pay a mortgage and manage their finances. Once a family is accepted into the program, they contribute sweat equity hours and attend homebuyer education classes. These steps can take more than a year to complete depending on the family situation.
The knowledge gained from the program combined with their commitment to their family stability continues to pay dividends long after the family moves into their new homes. Many homeowners and family members pursue college degrees and careers that improve the quality of life for all family members and contribute more to the community. Homeownership is the foundation these successes are built on.
Myth 10: Poverty housing can never be solved
Poverty housing is a huge issue that can be solved over time. By continuing to build houses with other committed groups and by sharing the mission of Habitat to more people, this can help make people passionate about working to solve this issue.
