Mission Statement
Habitat for Humanity of Martin County works in partnership with God and people everywhere, from all walks of life, to help eliminate substandard housing by building homes for others, revitalize neighborhoods, and transform lives.
Eliminating Poverty and Homelessness
Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) is a not-for-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. HFHI seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.
Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) is a not-for-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. HFHI seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.
Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need. Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner (partner) families. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with affordable loans. The homeowners' monthly mortgage payments are used to build more Habitat houses.
Providing a Hand-Up, Not a Hand-Out
Habitat is not a giveaway program. In addition to a down payment and the monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest a minimum of 300 hours of their own labor — sweat equity — into building their Habitat house and the houses of others.
Habitat is not a giveaway program. In addition to a down payment and the monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest a minimum of 300 hours of their own labor — sweat equity — into building their Habitat house and the houses of others.
Habitat's funding comes from financial and in-kind contributions from businesses, churches, foundations, community groups and individuals. Funds also come from homeowner mortgage payments and fundraising events. Grants are funded through the federal, state, county and city government.
The Benefits of Homeownership
Studies have shown the many benefits of homeownership. Children of homeowners:
Studies have shown the many benefits of homeownership. Children of homeowners:
- are 25 percent more likely to graduate from high school
- are 116 percent more likely to graduate from college
- have 3 percent fewer behavioral problems
- are 59 percent more likely to own their own home within 10 years of leaving
- their parent's household
- are 20 percent less likely to become teenage mothers
