Did you know… Some quick and uncommonly known HabiFacts

Habitat believes that everyone everywhere deserves a simple, decent, and affordable place to call home. By helping hardworking, low-income families achieve homeownership, we strive to build lives and strengthen communities.

Almost everyone has heard of Habitat, but there are some common misunderstandings about how the program works. Read on to become a HabiExpert and don’t forget to spread the word!

Habitat Partner Families pay full price for their new home. Habitat is a not a giveaway or a handout program. Instead, we make 25-30 year, 0% interest loans to our partner families. Mortgage payments run $350-$650 each month, which is often less than the families were paying for rent.

Habitat International works in more than 90 countries and all over the United States. Each Habitat affiliate is started by the community and operates autonomously.

Habitat Omaha was founded in 1984. Since then we’ve built or renovated over 300 homes in the Omaha area. In 2008 we completed 23 houses and we’re going for 25 in 2009.

We select our Partner Families through a twice yearly application process. The three main things that we consider are income, willingness to partner, and need.

• Income: Habitat Homeowners are all low-income, but they must demonstrate a history of steady employment and an ability to pay their mortgage every month. Partner Families earn between 25% and 50% of the median income for Omaha or between $18,000 and $33,000 for a family of four.
• Willingness to partner: Habitat is a partnership, and Habitat Families are involved in every step of the homebuilding and home buying process. Future Homeowners work 350 hours of Sweat Equity, both on their house and those of other Habitat Families, before they get their keys. They also attend educational workshops as part of this commitment.
• Need: We select families based on their need for decent and affordable housing. The last step in the application process is a home visit that allows us to evaluate how a family’s current housing is substandard or inadequate. Common examples of this include homes that are condemned, unaffordable or too small or those with outstanding repairs, rodents or poor insulation.

The next application period will open in September. Interested families should contact Habitat at 457-5657 for a pre-application form.

Jimmy Carter is not the founder of Habitat. Millard Fuller was, but President Carter has always been a great supporter of the organization.

We rely on the dedication and generosity of thousands of volunteers and community supporters each year. Volunteers are an essential part of the Habitat partnership and they do way more than swing hammers. Volunteers serve as fund raisers, event planners, lunch makers, advocates, donors, and so much more. Helping out at Habitat is a great way to demonstrate your commitment to improving your community. Contact us to get involved.

- Megan Mathews