How Does Habitat Work?
Through volunteer labor and tax-deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat builds simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner (partner) families. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with no-interest loans. The homeowners' monthly mortgage payments are used to help build more Habitat houses.
Habitat is not a give-away program. In addition to a down payment and the monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor - "sweat equity" - into their Habitat house and the houses of others. A family must invest at least 300 hours of sweat equity.
How Are Families Selected?
Families in need of decent shelter apply to Habitat. Our family selection committee chooses homeowners based on their level of need, their willingness to become partners in the program and their ability to repay the loan. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing the families who receive Habitat houses.
How Much Do Habitat Homes Cost?
Today, the average cost of building a Habitat Home in Pitt County between $55,000 and $65,000. That figure covers all of the direct costs for materials, land, labor, and infrastructure. Though we contract out most of the HVAC, electrical, and plumbing work, volunteers and Habitat homeowners perform most of the labor on Habitat homes. Mortgage lengths vary from fifteen to thirty years.
How does Habitat raise funds to build homes?
Some of HFHPC's funding comes from sponsors - churches, corporations, and municipalities, individuals and foundations who underwrite much of the direct building costs. It is possible for companies, civic clubs, individuals and religious groups to join to sponsor and build a house. Other funds are raised through direct mail, special events, municipal grants for land and infrastructure, foundations and annual support from individuals and corporate partners.