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FEB. 3, 2009: The Indian River Habitat for Humanity family sends condolences to the family of Millard Fuller, co-founder of Habitat for Humanity, who died Feb. 3 at the age of 74 following a brief illness. http://www.habitat.org/how/millard_feb2009.aspx
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Myths and Truths. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Over the summer we were challenged by some in the county to look at how, what and where we build and to who we sell our homes. Their primary concern is the possible effect of lowering property values and increasing crime in neighboring communities.
Although there is no evidence that either of these points are accurate it has given us the opportunity to reexamine the “how”, “what”, “where” and “who” questions that were raised. It also emphasized the need for us to do a better job of explaining our entire ministry to the public at large as many misconceptions have been brought to the fore.
MYTH: Habitat for Humanity gives houses to poor people.
TRUTH: Houses are not given to anyone. Habitat for Humanity builds houses with people in need and then sells the houses to homeowner partners through no-profit, no-interest loans. Because houses are built principally by volunteers, mortgage payments can be kept reasonable for those unable to obtain conventional financing. Habitat homeowners have incomes that are 30 percent to 60 percent of the median income in the area. They are required to invest hundreds of hours in “sweat equity:” - that is, time spent building their own home or other Habitat houses.
MYTH: Habitat builds houses only for minorities.
TRUTH: Habitat doesn’t build houses for anyone. We build houses with people in need, without regard to race. Three criteria drive the family selection process: need; ability to repay the no-profit mortgage during a 15- to 30-year period; and willingness to partner with Habitat. The U.S. Fair Housing Act of 1968 prohibits discrimination in the sale of housing on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, handicap, familial status or national origin. The covenant that all local Habitat affiliates sign with Habitat for Humanity International also specifies that Habitat homeowner families are selected “according to criteria that do not discriminate on the basis of race, creed or ethnic background.”
MYTH: Habitat homeowners are on welfare.
TRUTH: While some Habitat homeowners do receive public assistance, the vast majority work at low-wage jobs. Habitat works in good faith with people who often are at risk in society, knowing that owning a home is not the answer to every problem, but that it can be an important step - often the first step - toward helping people break out of the cycle of poverty.
MYTH: You have to be a Christian to become a Habitat homeowner.
TRUTH: Habitat for Humanity was founded as and unashamedly remains a Christian ministry. However, homeowners are chosen without regard to race, creed or nationality - following the requirements of the law as well as Habitat’s belief that God’s love extends to all. Habitat also welcomes volunteers from all faiths - or no faith - who actively embrace the goal of eliminating poverty housing from the world.
MYTH: Habitat houses lower neighborhood property values.
TRUTH: Many studies of low-cost housing show that affordable housing has no adverse effect on other neighborhood property values. Habitat firmly believes its approach to affordable housing improves neighborhoods and communities by strengthening community spirit and increasing the tax base while building better citizens through the cooperative efforts involved in Habitat construction.
MYTH: Habitat homeowners sell their houses and make a large profit because of the original low cost.
TRUTH: Special second mortgages that are “paid off” by living in the house, as well as first buyback option clauses that many Habitat affiliates put into their agreement with homeowners, help alleviate concerns that some people may have regarding the resale of houses.visit www.irchabitat.org.
MYTH: Habitat for Humanity is a Southern poverty program.
TRUTH: Habitat for Humanity International started in the Southern United States and remains based in Americus, GA. It is a global partnership, however, drawing families in need together with volunteers and resources to build simple, decent houses all over the world. Habitat has worked in more than 3,000 communities in some 100 countries.
MYTH: Habitat for Humanity is an arm of the government.
TRUTH: Habitat for Humanity International is an independent, nonprofit, Christian housing ministry. It is not an arm of the government, nor is it an arm of any particular religious denomination. Indian River Habitat does accept government funds for land and infrastructure, utilities, capacity building or training, so long as those funds do not affect Habitat’s ability to proclaim its Christian witness. Indian River Habitat for Humanity does not accept government money for house construction.
MYTH: Habitat for Humanity was started by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.
TRUTH: Habitat for Humanity International was started in Americus, GA, in 1976 by Millard Fuller, along with his wife, Linda. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, are longtime Habitat supporters and volunteers who helped bring national and international attention to the organization’s house-building work. They lead the annual Jimmy Carter Work Project to help build houses and raise awareness of the need for affordable housing. Since the first work project in 1984, more than 2,000 houses have been built in conjunction with JCWP events.
MYTH: Habitat for Humanity operates through chapters in states and countries throughout the world.
TRUTH: Habitat does not operate through centrally controlled chapters but through locally run affiliates. Affiliates are grassroots organizations of local people coming together to address local housing needs. Each affiliate is an independent nonprofit organization that operates with specific service areas under a covenant relationship with Habitat for Humanity International.
MYTH: Habitat only builds on single lots or only does re-hab construction:
TRUTH: Habitat has no set modus operandi as far as house construction is concerned. It is up to the local affiliate to determine what works best for them. Generally, in high land cost locations such as large urban areas, rehab may be the norm. Smaller affiliates without financial resources tend to build on single lots, whereas larger affiliates tend to build in communities.
MYTH: Indian River Habitat for Humanity’s Grace Grove Community is a high-crime area.
TRUTH: Only two of Grace Grove’s 81 homeowners have been arrested and have cases pending. Even though the Grace Grove community is located adjacent to the highest crime area in the county, it has a far lower crime rate percentage than the rest of Gifford. Other IRHFH communities located in Oslo Park and Fellsmere have not experienced any homeowner arrests.
MYTH: Low-income housing stops high-income housing from coming to a community.
TRUTH: There are numerous examples in Indian River County where higher income subdivisions have been built adjacent to lower income communities with no adverse economic effect to the higher income properties: for example, Lindsey Lanes and Grand Harbor adjacent to Gifford; Timber Ridge adjacent to Oslo Park. |
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