Habitat for Humanity seeks to build lives as well as houses. Through the houses we build, hope is restored and lives are changed as the cycle of need is broken.

How we build is just as important as what we build. Habitat houses are built with a contribution of hundreds of hours of "sweat equity" labor on the part of the homeowners. By investing themselves in the building process, homeowners gain self-reliance, self-esteem and new skills. Their down payments and monthly mortgage payments are used to build more houses through a revolving Fund for Humanity.

Building Partnerships

We build Habitat houses with tax-deductible donations using volunteer and skilled labor. By working together, home-owners, volunteers and donors become partners in the work of building houses, while building new relationships as well.

The partnerships formed help to build and revitalize communities. These partner-ships include individuals, churches, companies, foundations, organizations and others who join to build lives as well as houses.

Building Communities

Habitat for Humanity's emphasis on community extends to our organization, where we emphasize local commitment and local control. Habitat projects usually grow from the grass-roots concern of citizens within their community. Each project is responsible for family selection, site selection, construction work, fund-raising, family nurturing and more. Rather than membership fees, Habitat expects projects to voluntarily contribute for international work that depends on outside support. All Habitat projects adhere to a nondiscriminatory family selection policy.

Building Results

Habitat for Humanity International's headquarters are in Americus, Georgia, where the movement was founded in 1976 and where work is facilitated for all Habitat projects around the world. The years since Habitat's founding are filled with results confirming that Habitat works in building houses, families, communities and partnerships.

• Habitat has provided simple, decent shelter to over one hundred thousand family members, a number that is growing rapidly.

• Hundreds of thousands of volunteers participate in various aspects of Habitat's work around the world.

• Homeowner families have seen their lives transformed, becoming stronger members of society and making a difference in their communities.

• Neighborhoods have seen their crime rates drop and business develop and grow as a result of Habitat homes being built in their midst.

• Ever-growing numbers of churches, businesses, and corporations have stepped forward to be sponsors, adopt families or otherwise assist Habitat's work.

• Habitat's efforts have touched the consciences of thousands, and motivated other organizations to act as well.

Building the Future

Shelter is a basic human need. The future has been changed for many thousands by Habitat's efforts to meet that need. But millions worldwide still face a future robbed of hope by a lack of adequate shelter. That is why Habitat is determined that everyone worldwide have a decent place in which to live.

You can help make this vision a reality. Provide families with hope for the future by your partnership with Habitat. To donate your time and talents to Habitat for Humanity, contact your local Habitat affiliate at 3 W. Garden St. Pensacola, Fl (904) 434-5456 or, contact Habitat for Humanity's international headquarters at: