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It's a Hand Up, Not a Handout
Written by article default Tuesday, 23 November 2010 05:47
Last year at this time, I wrote an article about Habitat for Humanity; I'd like to revisit that topic.I said to my niece the other day that Thanksgiving was my favorite holiday. She said, "Oh, you must really like turkey." I laughed and then explained the reasons for my love of Thanksgiving. It's about gratitude – which is one of the pillars of my life. It's about the first Thanksgiving when people of different backgrounds came together for a common cause and had great success. It's about the "can do" attitude of this country. It's also about the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, football and TIME with family.
Habitat for Humanity stands for the same principles as Thanksgiving – the coming together for the greater good. I've donated to Habitat for Humanity for at least a decade and always felt a connection with the organization since it was based on providing housing. Habitat for Humanity is a charity that "gets it." It's not a handout, it's a hand up.
Here's a little history about how Habitat was started:
The concept that grew into Humanity International was born at Koinonia Farm, a small, interracial, Christian community outside of Americus, GA. Millard and Linda Fuller, visited Koinonia Farms in 1965. They had left behind a successful business and an affluent lifestyle to begin a new life of purpose and Christian service. The Fuller's, along with the founder of Koinonia Farms, Biblical scholar and farmer, Clarence Jordan, developed the concept of "partnership housing." The concept centered on those in need of adequate shelter, working side-by-side with volunteers to build decent, simple homes.
The homes are built at no profit and interest is not charged on loans. Building costs are financed by a revolving fund called, "The Fund for Humanity." The fund's money comes from the new homeowner's house payments, no interest loans provided by supporters and money earned by fundraising activities.
The thought and the mission behind "Fund for Humanity" was simply that the poor don't need charity, they needed capital. They don't need caseworkers, they needed coworkers. And the rich needed a wise, and honorable way to divest themselves of their overabundance. So, in 1968, 42 half acre home sites, with 4 acres reserved for community park and recreation area, were set out. Capital was donated from around the country to start the work. Homes were built and sold to families in need at no profit and with a no interest loan; hence, the basic model was created.
Habitat for Humanity has built over 350,000 homes around the world, providing more than 1.75 million people with a decent, affordable home in a safe community. Habitat for Humanity now operates in 90 countries and in all 50 states of the United States. Its board is made up of many impressive individuals.
A couple of misconceptions about Habitat:
Habitat houses reduce a neighborhood's property values.
Housing studies show affordable housing has no adverse effect on neighborhood property values. In fact, Habitat houses have proven to increase property values and local government tax income.
Habitat for Humanity gives houses away to poor people.
Habitat for Humanity offers homeownership opportunities to families who are unable to obtain conventional house financing. Generally, this includes those whose income is 30 to 50 percent of the area's median income. In most cases, prospective Habitat homeowner families make a $500 down payment. Additionally, they contribute 300 to 500 hours of "sweat equity" on the construction of their home or someone else's home. Because Habitat houses are built using donations of land, material and labor, mortgage payments are kept affordable.
Habitat for Humanity is just in the United States.
Habitat builds worldwide; there are projects ongoing in 19 countries in Europe/Central Asia, 23 countries in Asia/Pacific, 17 countries in Africa (with expanded growth in 9 more countries expected soon), 17 countries in South America, and 2 in North America.
Habitat for Humanity was founded by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.
Former President Carter and his wife Rosalynn (whose home is eight miles from Habitat's headquarters and where it was founded), have been longtime Habitat supporters and volunteers who help bring national attention to the organization's house-building work. Each year, they lead the Jimmy Carter Work Project to help build houses and raise awareness of the need for affordable housing.
You can support Habitat for Humanity in several ways – through donations, advocacy, volunteering or by doing business with one of its corporate sponsors.
In this season, I encourage you all to find a way to give back; there is no better feeling.