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Introduction to Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity International is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry whose mission is to eliminate poverty housing. Founded in 1976, more than 200,000 homes have been built worldwide. There are more than 2000 affiliates worldwide who work to eliminate substandard housing in their local communities.
Partnership is a key component in the Habitat program. We partner with families, individuals, churches, companies, and other organizations to eliminate substandard housing. Habitat is building hope, community and houses in partnership with God's people in need.
Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County has served this county since 1983. Since then we have built 42 houses in partnership with families in need. Prior to our first land donation in 1993 from Charles Henderson, Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County exclusively repaired homes for low income and seniors. We have also repaired over 500 homes in Ventura County. Since 2003, we directed all of our efforts to building houses.
How are the families chosen?
Families are selected to partner with Habitat based on the following:
Need (currently living in substandard or overcrowded housing)
Earning between 30% and 50% of Ventura County's median income
Ability to repay a 0% interest loan - Habitat offers a hand-up not a handout
Ability to complete 500 hours of sweat equity
We take great pride in our selection process being non-discriminatory and follow the guidelines as set forth by the Fair Housing Standards (age, marital status, sex, etc) and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act.
Each house is built with donated funds and materials for construction, donated land and volunteer labor. At the end of the build the house is sold to the family with a 0% interest loan.
Current mortgage payments vary between $450 and $625 per month which includes principal, property taxes and insurance, to be paid out over 20 to 30 years depending on the sale price of the house. The sale price of the house is based on costs of construction. The land is forgiven over the life of the loan. Homeowner mortgage payments go back into a revolving "Fund for Humanity," that is used to build more houses. Habitat has the first right of refusal if the homeowner should choose to sell their home with the goal being to keep these homes for very low-income families.
The house can be constructed with a combination of funds raised and donated in-kind materials. The in-kind materials will be deducted from the total funds to be raised for the construction of the home.
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Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, age, handicap, religion, marital status, or because any portion of an applicant's income is derived from public assistance programs.
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