Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit Christian housing ministry whose goal is to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the earth. Nearly 24% of the earth's population, including 10 million Americans, lack adequate housing.
Habitat for Humanity of Logan County was founded in 1992 and the ground breaking for the first Logan County Habitat home took place on September 19, 1993. Since then eighteen homes have been built or rehabbed in Lincoln, Mt. Pulaski, Atlanta and Elkhart. Through volunteer labor and tax-deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabs simple, decent housing with the help of the homeowner families. Habitat houses are financed with affordable, no-interest mortgages. The partner families make payments directly to the local affiliate. Mortgage payments are deposited in a revolving fund and used to build more houses within the community.
HFH IS NOT A GIVE-AWAY PROGRAM
In addition to a $500 down payment and monthly mortgage payments, a single person homeowner invests a minimum of 250 hours of labor, "sweat equity" and families invest a minimum of 350 hours of their own labor into building their house and the houses of others. Their labor reduces the cost of the house and increases the pride of ownership. The local Habitat affiliate holds family orientation meetings to help families learn about the program.
HABITAT FAMILIES ARE SELECTED ON FOUR BASIC CRITERIA:
- Need for more adequate housing
- Ability to repay the home mortgage
- Willingness to work in partnership with Habitat
- Residence in Logan County for one year
Although Habitat's goal is to provide decent, affordable housing to those in need, Habitat also gives back to the community in other ways. Volunteers feel the satisfaction of helping others. Vacant lots or abandoned properties are developed into properties that contribute taxes to the economy and create a better neighborhood environment. When the ongoing expenses of home ownership such as insurance, natural gas, electricity, water, etc., are included, then each Habitat home has a significant impact on our local economy, in addition to the positive impact on the lives of the Habitat families who live in them. A Habitat family is able to move into their home not just through their own efforts, but because many individuals, churches and organizations have contributed their time, labor and money to make it possible.