Making Change: Habitat for Humanity

“Devastating natural disasters happen around the world every year. War, conflict and civil unrest also create millions of refugees and internally displaced people. Families left homeless by disasters and refugees returning to their homelands face uncertain futures, often confronting dire housing needs as they struggle to rebuild their lives.”

With everything that goes on in the world think of how horrible it would be to come back to your home to find there is no home left there at all?

Check out some of their information below! I strongly encourage you to give this a try as a great area to volunteer or donate to.

Habitat for Humanity International is:

- A nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry.
- We seek to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.
- To accomplish these goals, we invite people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need.

Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller, along with his wife, Linda.
Today, we have built over 350,000 houses around the world, providing more than 1.75 million people in 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter.
How does it work?
Through volunteer labour and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses alongside our homeowner (partner) families.

Habitat is not a giveaway program. In addition to a down payment and monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labour (sweat equity) into building their Habitat house and the houses of others.

Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with affordable loans.
The homeowners' monthly mortgage payments are used to build still more Habitat houses.

Where does Habitat for Humanity operate?
Worldwide, nearly 90 countries and in all 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico. Use our search engine to find local affiliates and connect with Habitat in your community.

Our operational and administrative headquarters are located in Americus, Georgia, USA.

How are donations distributed and used?
Donations, whether to a local Habitat affiliate or to Habitat for Humanity International, are used as designated by the donor.

Gifts received by HFHI that are designated to a specific affiliate or building project are forwarded to that affiliate or project.

Undesignated gifts are used where most needed and for administrative expenses.
HFHI's most recent audited financial statement is available online.

How can I become a volunteer?
Use their search engine to find your local Habitat affiliate and their volunteer opportunities.
Explore their Get Involved section.