5 Facts About Central MN Habitat for Humanity

Fact #1: People buy homes with Central MN Habitat for Humanity... they're not free.

Households partner with Central MN Habitat to buy a home with a mortgage they can afford. Our mortgage is available to households who may otherwise be unable to obtain conventional mortgage financing. All buyers must meet our income guidelines - roughly between 35% to 60% of area median income. Homeowners are responsible for their monthly mortgage payment, which includes the principal, property tax, and homeowners insurance.
 

Fact #2: Central MN Habitat for Humanity builds quality, energy-efficient homes.
 

Central MN Habitat for Humanity develops quality, attractive, simple, modern homes. All homes built or rehabbed by Habitat meet or surpass every building code in the communities where we build. On top of that, we aim to match the size and quality of surrounding homes.
 

All homes must pass stringent inspections. While a good portion of the work is done by volunteers and students, all volunteers are trained and supervised by Habitat staff. In addition, plumbing, electrical, roofing, and other skilled work is done by licensed professionals.
 

Fact #3: Affordable housing has no adverse effect on neighborhood property values.
 

Research shows conclusively that affordable housing has no negative impact on home prices, or on the speed or frequency of sale of neighboring homes. Trulia has done extensive research on this across the country. They examined the nation’s 20 least affordable markets, analyzing over 3,000 projects with units for low-income earners over a 10-year period. As a whole, there was no significant effect on home values located near a low-income unit. In fact, Central MN Habitat for Humanity works with the City of St. Cloud to identify blighted properties to restore neighborhoods, which lifts up property values.
 

Fact #4: People of all backgrounds, races, religions, etc. can partner with Habitat.
 

Central MN Habitat for Humanity is an Equal Opportunity Lender and a Fair Housing organization. We follow all Equal Opportunity Lending and Fair Housing laws, and we do not discriminate based on race, religion, nation of origin, gender, sexual orientation, family status, marital status, or any other protected classes.
 

Fact #5: Habitat homeowners help taxpayers and build stronger, more vibrant communities.
 

It’s simple math: the more housing costs eat up your income, the less you have to invest elsewhere. For folks who need to spend more than a third of their income on housing, healthcare, nutritious food, education, transportation, saving for the future, and investing in the local economy get harder to pay for. When you have an affordable home, all those other areas of your community benefit as well.