Habitat Mission & Principles

Board Member, Rev. Dennis Leach, blesses new Habitat House for Ma Win, Board Chair, David Bergen looks on.

The ultimate goal of Habitat for Humanity is to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the face of the earth by constructing and building adequate and basic housing. Furthermore, all of our words and actions are for the ultimate purpose of putting shelter in the hearts and minds of people in such a powerful way that poverty housing and homelessness become socially, politically, and religiously unacceptable in our nations and world.

Twelve Foundational Principles of Habitat for Humanity

The theme of partnership is common to all of the foundational principles. Partnership captures Habitat for Humanity’s philosophical belief that all people are created equal and should be respected and valued. Habitat seeks to remove the barriers of religious, socio-economic, ethnic, and other dividing differences.

1. Christian Ministry and Movement

a. Is Habitat for Humanity a church? No, Habitat for Humanity is not a church. It is a Christian ministry. Applicants do not have to be Christian or become Christian to be selected as homeowners. However, Habitat for Humanity affiliates do partner with local congregations. Habitat for Humanity is ecumenical, meaning that affiliates ask all different Christian denominations and non-Christian faiths in their area to join together for the common goal of building houses.

b. “Economics of Jesus” - We have human resources, material resources, natural resources, and financial resources. These resources are gifts from God. One by one, our efforts of giving and passing on our gifts will be multiplied to succeed in helping families in need of better housing. Grace and love are for every single person, equally. Every individual has something to share. God expects us to share our resources, especially with people in need. God blesses us with what we share and multiplies the gifts. Therefore, Habitat for Humanity charges no interest and seeks no profit on the houses we build.

c. “Theology of the Hammer” – Habitat for Humanity puts faith in action. Habitat for Humanity puts aside differences to bring different people together. Habitat for Humanity helps the whole community by showing a continued concern for homeowner families. Habitat for Humanity believes that God has provided enough resources to meet everyone’s needs.

2. Global ministry

We come together from all countries around the world. All Habitat for Humanity organizations, including local affiliates, national and international offices, and individual partners are interdependent. We are connected by the common goal of eliminating substandard housing from the earth. A Habitat partner is part of this worldwide family.

Not all of the funding and resources come only from one country. Habitat for Humanity International encourages affiliates to help affiliates in other countries through tithing. In Habitat terms, “tithing” means to donate at least 10 percent of unrestricted cash contributions raised locally to another country or to an affiliate outside of one’s own country.

3. Building Communities

The focus of Habitat for Humanity’s ministry is not simply the construction of houses but the development and empowerment of individuals and communities. Habitat is one contributing part of overall community development, which encompasses other developmental efforts than house-building. We work in partnership with representative local leadership. We encourage all community residents, both homeowners and others, to work together to care for one another’s physical, spiritual and social needs. Habitat is concerned with the homeowner’s well-being, personal development and total living environment.

4. Diversity and Inclusiveness

Diversity and inclusiveness are essential to Habitat for Humanity. Diversity and inclusiveness:

A. Bring a wealth of resources into this ministry.

B. Are the main way in which this ministry demonstrates the love and teachings of Jesus.

C. Help people acknowledge, accept and celebrate their differences when they come together for a common goal.

5. Partnership and Volunteerism

Habitat for Humanity cannot achieve the goal of eliminating substandard housing alone. We seek to work in cooperation with other organizations or groups which have a kindred purpose.

6. Stewardship

Stewardship is the careful management of all resources entrusted to us by God. Such resources include our time, talents, skills, money, property, relationships, and natural resources.

7. No Profit, No Interest

Habitat for Humanity is interested in people, not profit. We place emphasis on human lives and meeting human needs. By not charging interest, Habitat houses are affordable to low-income families.

8. Simple, Decent, Affordable Houses

Habitat encourages all partners to be good stewards by continually seeking ways of lowering the cost of the house and keeping it simple without sacrificing quality.

Simple:

Meets basic human needs.
Uses locally available construction materials with appropriate technology.
Can be maintained by the family.
Can be built by unskilled family members and volunteer.

Decent:

Is durable and sturdy enough to provide protection.
Includes some system of waste disposal.
Meets local building codes.
Takes into consideration the lifestyle and culture of the family.
Promotes a sanitary and healthy living environment.

Affordable:

Can be paid off by family because of no interest or profit.
Can be paid off by family in reasonable amount of time.
Can be paid off by family with regular payments without sacrificing necessities of life.

9. Homeowner Family Partnership

Habitat for Humanity respects homeowners and potential homeowners as equal partners in the mission. Habitat builds houses in partnership with people, not for people.

10. Nondiscriminatory Family Selection

The three main criteria for Habitat homeownership are as follows:

A. The homeowner applicant must be living in inadequate shelter and have no other means to obtain decent housing, as determined by indicators which measure physical housing conditions as well as socioeconomic limitations.

B. The homeowner applicant must be able to pay back the cost of the house.

C. The homeowner applicant must be willing to partner by contributing volunteer labor (sweat equity) to the construction of their own house as well as that of other homeowners and be willing to pay back the loan.

11. “Sweat Equity” and Mutual Help

“Sweat equity” occurs when Habitat homeowners help build their own houses as well as the houses of other homeowners. It reduces the cost of the house, increases the family’s sense of ownership and pride in the house, gives the family the skills needed to maintain the house, and promotes partnerships and sharing in the community.

12. Revolving Fund for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity house payments stay in the community and are used to build more houses. If homeowners do not make their monthly mortgage payments on time, they hurt their neighbor who is waiting for a decent place to live.

Mission And Principles Information from Habitat for Humanity International