FAQS
MYTH: Habitat gives away homes.
FACT: All of our partner families purchase their homes. All families must show a need (overpaying, over crowding, not able to qualify for a mortgage), ability to pay (famililes must have an income between 30-60% of the average median income for our service area), and willingness to partner (complete the sweat equity hours and attend homeowner education classes- Habitat 101, Budgeting, Maintenance, Mortgages, I’m a Homeowner Now What? and Safety).
All Habitat homes are purchased with a no interest, no down payment, and mortgage based on what the family can afford, which is no more than 30% of the family’s income.
MYTH: Habitat only builds new homes on empty lots.
FACT: Over the past three years, CMHFH has renovated 8 houses and built 4 houses on foreclosed lots.
MYTH: Habitat Families are “irresponsible” – can’t pay rent, don’t work, won’t take care of their homes, won’t be a good neighbor.
FACT: Our partner families come from many diverse backgrounds. About 1/2 are single moms or dads. About 35% are minorities. Just like our volunteers and staff, all families come from many different skills and education levels and very few of them had ever swung a hammer before coming to Habitat. Each adult member of our partner families completes 200 hours of sweat equity volunteering with either CMHFH or other organizations that serve their community.
MYTH: Habitat Affiliates get funds from Habitat for Humanity International.
FACT: Each affiliate is responsible for developing its own resources locally. One way we do this is through our ReStore.
MYTH: I can’t volunteer because I’m not physically fit to be out on a construction site or I don’t have construction skills.
FACT: Our ministry is very complex. People, businesses, organizations, schools, churches, and other non-profits can all volunteer with CMHFH. Click here to see all the different ways you can make a difference for a deserving family.
MYTH: You have to be a Christian to become a Habitat homeowner.
FACT: Habitat for Humanity was founded as, and unashamedly remains a Christian ministry. Homeowners are chosen without regard to creed, keeping with the requirements of the law and Habitat's believe that God's love extends to all regardless of race, creed, or nationality. We welcome volunteers from all faiths or no faith who want to join us in our mission.
MYTH: Habitat for Humanity is an arm of the government.
FACT: CMHFH s not an arm of the government, nor an arm of any particular church denomination. Habitat does accept government funds for the acquisition of land or houses in need of rehabilitation. Habitat also accepts government funds or services for setting the stage for house building-i.e., streets, utilities and administrative expenses.
MYTH: Habitat houses allow people to move from poverty to fancy new houses.
FACT: Any newly built house is going to be a dramatic change for a family that has been living poor housing conditions. Habitat's philosophy is to build simple, decent houses. To see the types of homes we have built/renovated please click here.
MYTH: Habitat for Humanity was started by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.
FACT: 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 help 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, nationally more than 1,000 houses have been built in conjunction with JCWP events.
Common Myths about Habitat for Humanity
Does CMHFH only serve St. Cloud? What about outlying communities?
We are excited to serve other communities and have built in several surrounding communities. We partner with communities to help them coordinate the needs of the build from fundraising, PR and construction management. By doing so we are able to serve more families.