Disciple: Faithful Roots
Habitat for Humanity has a long-standing relationship with people of faith
By Diocesan Staff in partnership with Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity is an organization rooted in faith, founded on Christian principles and a concept centered on those in need of adequate shelter working side by side with volunteers to build simple, decent houses. Called “partnership housing,” it is the cornerstone of Habitat’s working model, and in the 40-plus years since the first home was built, more than 1 million houses have been built or repaired, helping to shelter more than 5 million people worldwide.
CHURCHES GIVING SHELTER
From the beginning, churches have been strong supporters of Habitat’s mission. They support Habitat in a number of ways, from volunteering to financial support to offering prayer. Some churches work with Habitat projects as a way of bringing congregations together, while others see it as way to reach out to their community. Still others get involved as a way to break down barriers through one of Habitat’s many interfaith projects.
It’s almost impossible to pinpoint at any given time how many churches and faith-based organizations are involved with Habitat for Humanity. Each Habitat affiliate operates independently, responsible for its own budgets and projects. In North Carolina alone, there are more than 80. Collectively, those 80 affiliates build or repair more than 400 homes each year, making North Carolina the third most productive state in the United States.
HOW IT WORKS
Founded in Americus, Georgia, in 1976, it was decided at the start that Habitat for Humanity’s financial foundation would rest on “The Fund for Humanity.” The fund’s money would come from dollars earned by fundraising, no-interest loans from supporters and payments made on those loans by new homeowners. Houses would be built at no profit, and as one house was completed, its place in the financial structure would support the start of another. As additional funds were raised and more support was gathered, more builds were supported.
Habitat homes are simple, decent and affordable. They are large enough for the homeowner family’s needs, but small enough to keep construction and maintenance costs to a minimum. They’re built of quality, locally-available materials and reflect local climates and cultures. When possible and as needed, Habitat houses incorporate basic accessible design features, such as zero-step entrances and wide passage doors and hallways. Houses built in partnership with families with disabilities include additional accessibility features. At least half of the North Carolina Habitat affiliates build System Vision, making them energy-efficient certified homes.
Habitat homeowners are selected through an application process, whereby prospective owners apply to their local Habitat affiliate and are evaluated by a selection committee based on three criteria: the family’s level of need; the family’s willingness to become partners in the program; and the family’s ability to repay the loan. Though Habitat is a faith-based organization, it maintains a nondiscriminatory selection process, and all are welcome to apply.
Once a family is selected, work does not begin immediately on their new home. Homeowners must first put in hundreds of hours of “sweat equity” on other houses before work begins on their own home.
THE THEOLOGY OF THE HAMMER
At the end of the day, Habitat is “a partnership founded on common ground, bridging theological difference by putting them into action.” Habitat’s late founder, Millard Fuller, called the concept “the theology of the hammer.” As he said, “The Bible teaches that God is the God of the whole crowd, God’s love leaves nobody out, and my love should not either. This understanding drives ‘the theology of the hammer’ around the world, steadily building more and more houses in more and more countries.”
With more than 16 percent of its residents living below the poverty level, North Carolinians – and the churches within the Diocese of North Carolina – will continue to answer Habitat’s call, reaching out and building bridges by contributing labor, materials, money, love and prayer.
To find your local affiliate and to learn how to get involved, visit habitat.org.
HOSPITALITY HOUSE: DONATE TODAY!
Founded on Christian ideals in 1985, Durham Habitat partners with those who share our values of love, respect, compassion and justice for all. We welcome those of any faith – or no faith – to join us building homes, hope and community in Durham! – Faith statement, Habitat for Humanity of Durham
In the Winter 2015 Disciple, we introduced you to a very special project undertaken in honor of the late Rt. Rev. Robert Johnson, the beloved 10th bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina.
“Hospitality House” is a Habitat residential build in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Durham and sponsored by those who share Johnson’s vision for a hospitable diocese, one where everyone is truly welcome and, in his words, “not just tolerated but recruited and embraced.”
The build will feature traditional Habitat elements, including the house, the volunteer teamwork to build it, and the homeowner commitment to participate in the building of the house and the paying of the mortgage. But what will set it apart from traditional builds is a conscious and deliberate effort to answer Johnson’s call to “recruit and embrace” by increasing efforts to deepen the pool of homeowner applicants, hopefully including those who might not have been involved with Habitat before. The intentional effort will also seek to include and embrace new and returning volunteers.
In the coming months, plans for volunteers, build teams and more will be announced. But first, funds must be raised to lay the foundation of this project.
The goal of the Hospitality House sponsorship committee is to raise $50,000 toward the cost of the project. We are just over the halfway mark to that goal. Fundraising continues, and the hope is to break ground on this legacy home by August 2015.
To donate to the building of Hospitality House:
By check. Please make checks payable to Habitat for Humanity of Durham and include “Hospitality House” on the memo line. Mail to:
Habitat for Humanity of Durham
215 N. Church Street
Durham, NC 27701
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