About Habitat
Habitat for Humanity is an international organization seeking to eliminate poverty housing worldwide. It has affiliates in more than 79 countries. Habitat For Humanity International and Habitat For Humanity Canada are regional support agencies providing direction to new and existing affiliates.
What We Do
Each Habitat for Humanity affiliate helps families build their own homes. Construction of the homes is a co-operative effort involving sponsors, volunteers, partner families, and professional tradespeople.
How We Do It
Habitat for Humanity Mountain View Affiliate establishes a fund, created through donations by corporations, churches, service clubs, governments and individuals. Donations may be of: money, land, or goods-in-kind. It then uses this fund to help select a partner family to build their home. The partner family is contracted to a no interest mortgage with its Habitat Affiliate. The family's mortgage payments go back into the fund, which then allows more homes to be built.
FAQs
Is Habitat a volunteer organization?
Although there is a minimum number of administrative staff, Habitat relies heavily on volunteers to accomplish its work. Volunteers serve as Board members, and as members of the standing committees: Family Selection, Family Support, Fund Development, Building, Building Support, Volunteers, and Communications. Volunteers also serve as office, warehouse, and construction workers.
Who manages the Habitat for Humanity Affiliate?
HFH Mountain View is managed by a Board of Directors.
Does Habitat get government support?
The only support that Habitat solicits from any level of government is in the form of donations or discounts of building lots and/or services.
Where does Habitat build?
Habitat for Humanity Mountain View builds mainly in the communities of Olds, Sundre, Didsbury, Carstairs, and Cremona. Habitat For Humanity International builds in more than 79 countries.
What does it cost to build a Habitat house?
The cost of building differs with each project, depending on the cost of the building lot, the house design, and the costs of building materials and professional labour, above any donated materials and labour.
Are all of the building materials donated?
Although this would be ideal, it is seldom the case. Habitat depends on financial donations, which are used to purchase any materials and services that have not been donated.
Do donors get tax receipts?
Habitat for Humanity is a registered charitable organization, and official tax receipts can be issued for donations of cash and materials.
How are Habitat partner families chosen?
Families in need can apply to Habitat. Partner families are chosen according to the following guidelines:
Need:
- Is the family currently living in substandard or overcrowded housing?
- Is their total income within the low-income guidelines? (These guidelines are set by each Affiliate.)
Ability to pay:
- Can the family afford a small downpayment, a "Habitat" mortgage (including insurance and taxes), and the costs of utilities and maintenance?
Willingness to partner:
- Is the family willing to complete the required 500 hours of sweat equity labour, and subscribe to the Habitat idea of partnership?
Who holds the mortgages?
The local Habitat affiliate holds the mortgage. A Habitat partner family assumes a no-interest mortgage, equal to the appraised value. Mortgage payments are returned to a revolving Fund for Humanity that is used to build more Habitat houses.
What does the partnership with families require?
Habitat is a joint venture, in which those benefiting from it participate directly in the work. Each partner family must invest 500 hours of unpaid labour, or sweat equity, into the construction of their house and other Habitat activities. This reduces cost and increases pride of ownership. In addition, each partner family must agree to meet all their financial obligations attached to the purchase of their home from HFH Mountain View.
Do volunteers need to have building skills?
Certainly not! Habitat's crew leaders are experienced tradespeople, who can teach volunteers basic construction skills on-site. On the build site, volunteers are needed for first aid and safety, registration, food services, clean-up, pick-up and delivery, site security, and landscaping. Habitat also needs volunteers year-round to serve on committees and to assist with office and warehouse tasks. If you are looking for meaningful work, Habitat has ways for you to contribute!
How can I get involved?
Just get in touch with us! Contact Us!