Holmes County Habitat for Humaity was affiliated in September of 1995 with the mission of building simple, decent and affordable houses for people, in Holmes County, who are living in sub-standard housing or unable to secure adequate housing by conventional means. Through the Spring of 2008, the Holmes County affiliate has built 20 homes partnering with 21 families. HFH is generating more than $20,000 in real estate taxes per year in Holmes County. HFH of Holmes County is the only non-profit provider of owner-occupied housing for low-income families in our service area and is well known in the community. It creates partnerships with individuals, churches, businesses and foundations. In a recent county wide survey, it was determined that there are more than 200 houses rated as sub-standard based on Habitat for Humanity International criteria.
Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. Habitat works in partnership with people in need to build and renovate decent, affordable housing. The houses then are sold to those in need, Habitat's partner families, at no profit and with no interest charged. Partner families invest hundreds of hours of their own labor -- sweat equity -- into building their homes and the homes of others. Their mortgage payments go into a revolving Fund for Humanity that is used to build more houses. Founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller along with his wife Linda, and headquartered in Americus, Ga, HFHI's work in the United States is accomplished by affiliates. Habitat affiliates are independent, nonprofit [501(c)(3)] organizations that are organized by local citizens and operate with local boards and local volunteers. There are more than 1,500 U.S. affiliates spread among all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Hundreds of thousands of volunteers provide most of the labor, and faithful individual and corporate donors provide the money and materials to build Habitat houses. Habitat's mission is to eliminate poverty housing from the earth. Habitat has taken its vision of a world with no more shacks to more than 90 countries and nations. To date, HFHI has completed more than 150,000 simple, decent, affordable houses around the globe. Hand-up not a Hand-out. Each family member over the age of 18 must contribute 200 hours of "sweat equity" prior to moving into their house. Twenty -five hours must be completed before their house is started. Once completed they pay an affordable monthly payment.
