Read some of the most frequently asked questions and myths regarding Habitat Dekalb.

What is Habitat for Humanity?

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit housing organization working in local communities across all 50 states and in more than 70 countries around the world. Habitat's vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Habitat works toward this vision by building and improving homes in partnership with individuals and families in need of a decent and affordable place to live.

How does Habitat for Humanity's homeownership program work?

Families and individuals in need of decent, affordable housing apply for homeownership with their local Habitat for Humanity. Each local Habitat’s family selection committee selects homeowners based on three criteria:

  • The applicant’s level of need.
  • Their willingness to partner with Habitat.
  • Their ability to repay a mortgage through an affordable payment plan.

As part of their willingness to partner, Habitat’s homebuyers invest 250 hours of their own labor, called sweat equity, working alongside volunteers and other Habitat homeowners.

Habitat for Humanity follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing Habitat’s homeowners.

Visit our Homeownership Program page to learn more.

What is homeowner education?

Homeowner education consists of classes and workshops that homebuyers take as a part of our homeownership program. It is meant to equip homeowners with the necessary knowledge and tools to manage the responsibilities of a home and gain financial literacy. The classes cover topics such as home maintenance and repair, property taxes, wills and estate planning, and more. 

What is a Habitat for Humanity ReStore?

Habitat for Humanity ReStores are nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers that sell new and gently used furniture, home accessories, building materials and appliances to the public at a fraction of the retail price. Habitat for Humanity ReStores are proudly owned and operated by local Habitat for Humanity affiliates. Proceeds are used to build homes and improve communities locally and around the world.

Click here to find a ReStore near you.

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Common Myths

Habitat for Humanity gives houses away to poor people.

Habitat for Humanity offers homeownership opportunities to families who are unable to obtain conventional house financing. Generally, this includes those whose income is 40 to 60 percent of the area’s median income. In most cases, prospective Habitat homeowner families make a $1,000 down payment. Additionally, they contribute 300 to 500 hours of “sweat equity” on the construction of their home or someone else’s home. Because Habitat houses are built using donations of land, material and labor, mortgage payments are kept affordable.

Habitat houses reduce a neighborhood’s property values.

Housing studies show affordable housing has no adverse effect on neighborhood property values. In fact, Habitat houses have proven to increase property values and local government tax income.

You have to be Christian to become a Habitat homeowner.

Habitat homeowners are chosen without regard to race, religion or ethnic group, in keeping with U.S. law and with Habitat’s abiding belief that God’s love extends to everyone. Habitat also welcomes volunteers from all faiths, or no faith, who actively embrace Habitat’s goal of eliminating poverty housing from the world.