HABITAT FOR HUMANITY was founded in 1976 by Linda and Millard Fuller in Americus, GA, as a Christian ministry dedicated to the elimination of poverty housing worldwide.
Over the years, many famous people have lent their talent and prestige to further the cause of Habitat, the most famous being former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn who, since 1984, have carried out annual "Blitz Builds" around the world.
To date, Habitat for Humanity has built more than 300,000 houses in more than 3,000 communities and 90 countries. Worldwide, Habitat is building at a rate of one house completed every 10 minutes.
INDIAN RIVER HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Indian River Habitat became an affiliate in September 1991, under the leadership of Bill Elliott and his co-founders, Charlie Cox, Ray Scent and Bob Walsh.
Since that time, Indian River Habitat has built more than 260 homes throughout the county, from Fellsmere on the north to the Oslo Park area in the south county.
Habitat offers "A Hand up, NOT a Handout":In 2005, 2006 and 2009, our affiliate received the prestigious Affiliate of the Year award from Habitat for Humanity International, a reflection of the dedication and generous support of our donors, volunteers and staff.
Our campus includes administrative offices, a warehouse and our Home Center Store and is located at 4568 N. US 1 in Gifford, just north of Vero Beach.
A SELF-HELP PROGRAM
Habitat is a self-help program - "A Hand UP, not a handout" if you will, In lieu of a down payment, homebuyers contribute hundreds of hours of labor - Sweat Equity - working side by side with our volunteers, putting in the required number of hours to make their dream of home ownership a reality. By investing themselves in the actual building process, homeowners gain self-reliance, self-esteem and new skills.
Their monthly zero-interest mortgage payments provide a perpetual income stream which is used to build more houses and lives. Working together, home buyers, volunteers and donors form partenrships which, in turn, help build and revitalize communities.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Using qualifying criteria developed by Habitat International and the local affiliate, a Habitat Selection Committee chooses needy families from a pool of applicants.
An assessment is made of each family's:
Need for simple, decent affordable housing
Ability to pay for and maintain a house
Desire to partner with Habitat by showing a willingness to complete 300-500 Sweat Equity hours working on their own house as well an on other Habitat projects
Willingness to complete all mandatory classes, including financial management training, provided to help equip homebuyers for homeownership
FUNDING SOURCES
Habitat's home building ministry is possible thanks to these funding sources:
Tax-deductible donations
Grant funds
Mortgage payments
Community Contribution Tax Credit Program (CCTCP)
Home Center Store revenue
Special events revenue
Estate gifts
There are many ways to give. Find out the different options by clicking on the button below.
BUILDING HOUSES
Habitat homes are simple, decent, affordable and energy efficient, built by future homeowners in partnership with volunteers, church and civic groups and others, under the guidance of skilled volunteer and staff construction supervisors. They meet all the required construction codes, including strict hurricane standards.
A typical Habitat house in Indian River County is a 3-bedroom, 1-bath home with 1,050 square feet of living space. 2- and 4-bedroom homes are also available, based on an individual family's needs. When feasible, Habitat also purchases and renovates existing abandoned and/or foreclosed homes.
Every Indian River County Habitat home is now built with a solar water heater, and each home Meets energy efficiency standards set by the EPA. For these efforts and others, IRHFH has received several local, state and regional "Green" awards.
The personal involvement of the homeowner in the construction of his or her home provides a working knowledge of how the home has been built, better preparing the homebuyer for properly caring for his/her investment.
BUILDING HOPE
Hope and a sense of security begin with a decent place to live, and the opportunity for Habitat home ownership makes hope a reality. A house built in partnership with Habitat for Humanity goes beyond its physical structure. Habitat seeks to build lives as well as houses.
IRHFH also offers support for homeowner students: an After-School Subsidy Program, a middle and high school youth Prep Club, and a College Scholarship Program, opening the door to a world of opportunities and thus helping break the cycle of poverty.
Applicants are motivated by their desire to escape substandard living conditions, and Habitat's support partners help them achieve their goals through friendship and counseling on the reponsibilities of homeownership, both before and after the purchase of the home.
