General Questions

Q. What is Habitat for Humanity?
A. Habitat for Humanity-Spokane, an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, is a nonprofit organization that raises money and recruits volunteers to build houses with Spokane's low-income families. While Habitat is a Christian ministry, neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing the families Habitat partners with to build homes. Habitat has a broad base of volunteers, partner families and donors and welcomes the involvement of all individuals, including those who do not profess the Christian faith.

Q. How does Habitat work?
A. Through tax-deductible donations of money, materials and volunteer labor, Habitat builds homes with the help of the future homeowners. Houses are sold at cost (about $82,000) to partner families with 0% interest mortgages issued over a 20-30 year term. Small monthly mortgage payments, paid to Habitat by partner families, are deposited into a revolving "Fund for Humanity" that funds additional houses.

Q. How does the partnership with homeowners work?
A. Habitat is not a giveaway program, but rather a joint venture. Those who benefit from the housing ministry are involved in various work projects. Each homeowner family is required to invest 500 hours of "sweat equity" into Habitat's work. This reduces the cost of the house, increases the pride of ownership, and fosters the development of positive relationships with other people. Habitat homeowner families are given assistance in developing homeownership skills through a series of homeownership classes. A Habitat-Spokane Homeowner's Association, comprised of all Habitat homeowners, offers on-going connection and support to Habitat homeowners.

Q. How are partner families selected?
A. Interested families request a qualification sheet from the Habitat office, and are invited to attend a Habitat-Spokane New Family Informational Meeting. At this meeting, Habitat philosophy and family requirements for homeownership are explained in detail. The Family Selection Committee then reviews the applications and chooses families based upon need, willingness to partner, and ability to repay the loan. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing partner families.

Q. How does Habitat work with the government?
A. Habitat-Spokane does not accept government money for construction of new houses, renovation or repair of existing houses, or general operation expenses of.