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ABOUT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF ELLIS
COUNTY
Habitat for Humanity of Ellis County (Habitat) became an affiliate
member of Habitat for Humanity International, Inc. in October, 2001.
Habitat International is a worldwide housing ministry whose objective is
to eliminate poverty housing and to make simple, decent, affordable
housing available as a mater of conscience.
Habitat affiliates work on two fronts: first, by constructing homes for
purchase by very low income families and second, by changing conditions
which foster poverty and despair. Founded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity
is now in over 1,000 U.S. cities and more than 40 countries and has
completed over 100,000 homes. Working with volunteers, who provide labor
and management expertise, and using donations of money and materials,
Habitat for Humanity of Ellis County builds homes with the help of the
prospective homeowners and community groups. Homes are sold at no profit
to partner families, and no interest mortgages are issued for a fixed
period. Small monthly mortgage payments are repaid over an average of 20
years.
Habitat does not “warehouse” money. Homes are sold to families for the
actual cost of building. Habitat does not make a profit from home sales.
Principle paid by homeowners is used to build additional Habitat homes.
Habitat for Humanity is not a charity program but is a joint venture in
which all those who benefit from the program are involved in the work at
various levels. Each homeowner family is required to invest 350 “sweat
equity” hours into the construction of their home or in cooperation with
the building of other homes in their neighborhood.
The sweat equity and the labor donated by volunteers provide deep cost
subsidies to potential homeowners. In addition to a reduction in the
cost of the home, the use of sweat equity and volunteer labor increases
pride of ownership and a sense of neighborhood involvement among family
members, and fosters the development of positive relationships with
other persons from all economic levels. Relationships built while
working together help people from the community at large to understand
the nature of poverty and bring about system changes from the grass
roots level. Brian is “teaming” up with the Ellis County Habitat for
Humanity to build homes for deserving families during this off-season.
To find out how you can get involved through donations please contact
Kathy Rushing at kathyarushing@sbcglobal.net or 972-937-3182 and for
volunteer hours contact Dana Batte- Walker at danabatte@yahoo.com or
972-938-7406.
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