Mission Statement:
Habitat for Humanity of Rock and Jefferson Counties, Inc provides responsible
families in need the life changing opportunity to purchase their own home by
partnering with people from all backgrounds to build decent affordable houses
and communities in which people can live and grow into all that God intends.
History:
- Habitat for Humanity International is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian
housing ministry that seeks to eliminate substandard housing worldwide.
Habitat for Humanity International was started in Americus, Georgia, during
1976 by Linda and Millard Fuller.
- Habitat for Humanity of Rock and Jefferson Counties, Inc is one of over 2,200 affiliates of
Habitat for Humanity International. Rock County Habitat, like all United
States affiliates, tithes to HFHI to help build homes in 78 countries.
- Rock County Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1990. Habitat for Humanity of Rock and Jefferson Counties, Inc was formed in 2011
- As of July 2011, Rock County Habitat had completed 46 houses.
- A typical Habitat for Humanity of Rock and Jefferson Counties, Inc home is approximately 1,000 square feet,.
Houses typically have three bedrooms, one bathroom, a kitchen, a living room
and a basement.
- Each adult family member of a partnering family completes 250 hours of
‘sweat equity,’ or volunteer labor, building Habitat homes or doing other
Habitat-related work.
-
Habitat's program gives
families a "hand-up," not a "hand-out." Habitat homes are sold for no
profit on no-interest, 20-year mortgages to partner families who have
completed their sweat equity hours.
- Habitat for Humanity’s selection of homeowners is based on three important
criteria:
- the family’s need for adequate shelter.
- the family’s ability to repay a mortgage.
- the family’s willingness to partner with Rock County Habitat for Humanity.
- The average Rock County Habitat house costs $75,000 or $75 per square foot
to build.
- Habitat for Humanity of Rock and Jefferson Counties, Inc income is obtained through donations from
individuals, churches, foundations, mortgage payments and the United Way of
North Rock County.
- Funds are allocated and building is planned by the Board of Directors in
accordance with the guidelines of Habitat for Humanity International.
- As of 2011, 35 local churches from Rock County have chosen to become
Covenant Churches. Through this commitment, they are asked to provide support
through prayer, volunteer labor, and financial help.