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Habitat for Humanity gives houses to poor people |
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Houses are not given to anyone. Habitat builds houses with people in need and then sells the houses to homeowner partners through no-profit/no-interest loans.. Homeowner partners are required to invest hundreds of hours in “sweat-equity” that is, time spent building their own home or other Habitat houses. |
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| Habitat builds houses only for minorities |
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Habitat doesn’t build houses for anyone. We build houses with people in need, without regard to race. |
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| Habitat homeowners are on welfare |
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While some Habitat homeowners do receive public assistance, most work at low-wage jobs. Habitat works in good faith with people who often are at risk in society, knowing that owning a home is not the answer to every problem, but that it can be an important step-often the first step- toward helping people break out of the cycle of poverty. |
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| You have to be a Christian to become a Habitat homeowner |
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Habitat for Humanity was founded as and unashamedly remains a Christian ministry. However, homeowners are chosen without regard to race, creed or nationality – following the requirement of the law as well as Habitat’s belief that God’s love extends to all. Habitat also welcomes volunteers from all faiths – or no faith- who actively embrace the goal of eliminating poverty housing from the world.
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| Habitat houses allow people to move from poverty to fancy new houses. |
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Any newly built house is going to be a dramatic change for a family that has been living in a shack, hut or rundown apartment. But Habitat houses are not extravagant by any standard. Habitat’s philosophy is to build simple, decent houses. Under house design criteria approved by Habitat for Humanity International’s board of directors, living space in a three-bedroom house, for example, is not to exceed 1,050 square feet. The average cost in the United States of a three-bedroom Habitat house is approximately $53,000.
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| Habitat houses lower neighborhood property values. |
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Many studies of low-cost housing show that affordable housing has no adverse effect on other neighborhood property values. |
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| Habitat homeowners sell their houses and make a large profit because of the original low cost |
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Special second mortgages that are “paid off” by living in the house, as well as first buyback option clauses that many Habitat affiliates put into their agreement with homeowners, help alleviate concerns that some people may have regarding the resale of houses. |
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| Habitat for Humanity is an arm of the government |
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Habitat for Humanity International is an independent, nonprofit Christian housing ministry. It is not an arm of the government, nor an arm of any particular church denomination. Habitat does accept government funds for the acquisition of land or houses in need of rehabilitation. Habitat also accepts government funds or services for “setting the stage” for house building – e.g. streets, utilities and administrative services. |
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| Poverty housing is such a large problem that it can never be solved |
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Poverty housing is a huge issue. But Habitat believes that by continuing to build houses with people in need, by working with other committed groups, and by putting the issue of poverty housing on the hearts and minds of compassionate people everywhere, the problem can be solved.
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| Habitat uses substandard materials and unskilled labor resulting in poorly constructed homes |
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Habitat uses quality materials and volunteers who are eager to learn from skilled construction supervisors. Professional builders marvel at the quality of Habitat homes. When Hurricane Hugo struck Homestead, FL, the only homes remaining intact were those built by Habitat. |
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| Habitat families are not prepared to be homeowners. |
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Habitat families take a series of workshops to help them prepare for homeownership. The skills they develop building their homes enable families to take care of minor maintenance issues. Habitat continues to provide appropriate support to families for the length of the mortgage.
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