About Us
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Habitat for Humanity?
- Habitat for Humanity of Southeastern Steuben County was formed in 1993 by a group of dedicated volunteers.
- Today, we have grown to become a full time non-profit organization and have now completed our twentieth house in the local area!
- To learn more about the history of Habitat for Humanity International, check out the International website!
How does it work?
- Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses alongside our homeowner (partner) families.
- Habitat is a Hand Up, never a hand-out! Homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor (sweat equity) into building their Habitat house and the houses of others.
- Habitat houses are sold to partner families using a no-profit, no-interest mortgage through SESC Habitat for Humanity.
- The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are then used to build future Habitat houses.
How are partner families selected?
- Families in need of decent shelter apply to local Habitat affiliates.
- We will look at three distinct areas of selection criteria when reviewing potential “partner homeowner families.” These criteria are: level of need, willingness to become partners in the program, and the ability to repay the no-interest loan.
- Every affiliate follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection
. - Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing the families who receive Habitat houses.
Where do building funds come from?
- All funds for building are raised within our local area from individuals, businesses, industries, churches, social and service groups.
- No government funding is received, nor is SESC Habitat a United Way agency, although some people choose to designate their United Way donations to Habitat.
How are donations used?
- Donations are used to purchase supplies and land necessary for building houses.
- Donations that are designated by donors to a specific purpose or building project are used as instructed.
- A tithe of 10% of undesignated donations is sent to Habitat for Humanity International to support global housing projects
