Myth vs. Facts

Myth: Habitat for Humanity is a charity.

Fact: Habitat for Humanity is a community development program. Habitat involves local businesses, churches, and individuals to invest in the improvement of their community. Habitat homeowners purchase their homes and contribute to their communities as tax paying citizens.

Myth: Habitat for Humanity gives houses away to poor people.

Fact: Habitat for Humanity International offers a homeownership opportunity to families unable to obtain conventional house financing – generally, those whose income is 30 to 60 percent of the area’s median income. In most cases, prospective Habitat homeowner families make a down payment and contribute 250-500 hours of ‘sweat equity’ on the construction of their home or someone else’s home. Because Habitat houses are built using donations of land, material and labor, mortgage payments are kept affordable.

Myth: Habitat houses reduce property values in a neighborhood.

Fact: Low-cost housing studies in the United States and Canada show affordable housing has no adverse effect on other neighborhood property values. In fact, Habitat houses have increased property values and local government tax income.

Myth: Only African Americans get Habitat for Humanity homes.

Fact: Habitat builds houses in partnership with those in need – regardless of race, religion or any other difference – who meet three criteria: need; ability to repay a no-interest, no-profit mortgage; and a willingness to partner with Habitat.

Myth: Habitat International dictates policy and practices for every local Habitat organization.

Fact: Habitat operates through locally governed affiliates with a strong emphasis on grassroots organizations and local autonomy. Habitat affiliates are independent, nonprofit organizations that operate within specific service areas in a covenant relationship with Habitat for Humanity International.

Myth: Habitat homeowners are on welfare.

Fact: While some Habitat homeowners receive Temporary Housing Assistance for Need Families (TANF), many more are working people. Typically, their annual income is less than half of the local median income in their community.

Myth: You have to be Christian to become a Habitat homeowner.

Fact: Habitat for Humanity is a Christian based organization. However, homeowners are chosen without regard to race, religion or ethnic group, in keeping with U.S. law and with Habitat’s abiding belief that God’s love extends to everyone. Habitat also welcomes volunteers from all faiths, or no faith, who actively embrace Habitat’s goal of eliminating poverty housing from the world.

Myth: Habitat for Humanity is an arm of the government.

Fact: Habitat is an independent, nonprofit organization. It is neither an arm of the government nor an arm of any church or denomination. It accepts some government funds and other resources to help provide for the construction of new houses or for the renovation or repair of existing houses. Habitat also accepts government help for streets, utilities and administrative expenses, as long as the funds carry no obligations that would limit Habitat’s ability to proclaim its Christian witness.

Myth: Habitat for Humanity was founded by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.

Fact: Habitat was started in 1976 in Americus, GA, by Millard Fuller along with his wife Linda. President Carter and his wife Rosalynn (whose home is eight miles from Americus, in Plains, GA) have been longtime Habitat supporters and volunteers who help bring national attention to the organization’s house-building work. Each year, they lead the Jimmy Carter Work Project to help build houses and raise awareness of the need for affordable housing.