• Coming Events
• 1999 Board of Directors
• Donations
• Habitat for Humanity International
• Family Selection 2000

What is Habitat for Humanity?

Habitat for Humanity International is a non-profit, ecumenical; Christian housing ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing from the face of the earth.

Nationwide, over 60,000 people live in Habitat homes. Our region, Habitat Heartland, comprises the states of Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska. Over 2500 people live in Habitat homes in these four states.

Habitat's philosophy is giving people a hand UP, not a handout.

What's Happening in Columbia County?

Columbia County now has it's own "Habitat for Humanity" and has the affiliation process with Habitat for Humanity International. It is a non-profit Arkansas corporation. The members of the board of directors have pledged to donate the administrative costs such as postage and copy work so that the full amount of other donations can be used toward house construction.

Volunteer labor builds a house, which will be sold at zero profit and zero interest for the cost of the materials and a lot. A family is selected which cannot qualify for conventional financing and their low mortgage payments are used to help pay for the next house. The selected family invests "sweat equity" by helping to build their house.

What is sweat equity?

Families help build their own houses by working side-by-side with volunteers from the community. Sweat Equity requirements: determined by the local HFH affiliate, on average 300 to 500 hours.

There is no down payment required. Typically, a home mortgage is lower than a family's previous rent payments. Habitat homeowners pay back the mortgage to Habitat for Humanity of Columbia County. These funds will be used to build additional homes. After a number of years, the program should become self-sustaining.

 

How can you help?

Get involved locally by contributing your time, talents, and money. If you are interested in making a donation or purchasing a portion of a house at $37.00 per square foot, then please contact us at jlmarvin@saumag.edu .