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About Jefferson County Wisconsin Habitat for Humanity
Our Mission
Habitat for Humanity of Jefferson County works to create decent, affordable housing in partnership with those in need and to make shelter a matter of conscience with people everywhere.
What We Do
Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with God and people everywhere, from all walks of life, to develop communities with people in need by building and renovating houses, so that there are decent houses in decent communities in which every person can experience God’s love and can live and grow into all that God intends. We are not a charity or a “hand out” program, but rather we help families help themselves.
About The Homeowners
We work with families whose total income is generally 30% – 60% of the area median income. Families are accepted to the Habitat program based on their need, ability to pay a zero percent interest mortgage, and their willingness to partner. Applicants must be residents of Jefferson County for one year. Once accepted, homeowners are eligible to buy a house from Habitat with a 20 – 30 year zero percent interest mortgage. Families spend a minimum of 500 hours investing in “sweat equity” where they support and help build their own home and the homes of their neighbors.
How We Are Funded
Our funding comes through partnerships with individuals, corporations, foundations, churches, and civic groups within Jefferson County. It costs approximately $100,000 to build a Habitat house in 2008, including materials, tools and supplies. Jefferson County Wisconsin Habitat for Humanity relies mostly on private sources of funding to build our affordable houses.
The Role of Volunteers
The Jefferson County Wisconsin Habitat for Humanity volunteers are the heart of our organization. From board members to those directly involved in construction, volunteers make the difference. Over 200 volunteers assist in various Jefferson County Wisconsin Habitat for Humanity activities each year. Our volunteers build the houses, raise funds, work in our administrative offices, provide lunch for volunteers at the work site, and do much, much more.
Jefferson County Wisconsin Habitat for Humanity is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with people in need to build and renovate decent, affordable housing. The houses then are sold to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged.
Volunteers provide most of the labor, and individual and corporate donors provide money and materials to build Habitat houses. Partner families themselves invest hundreds of hours of labor - "sweat equity" - into building their homes and the homes of others. Their mortgage payments go into a revolving Fund for Humanity that is used to build more homes.
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