About Us
MEET OUR CHAPTER EXECUTIVE
What is Habitat for Humanity International?
When did Habitat Canada form?
What is an affiliate?
What is a campus chapter?
The University of Guelph's Campus Chapter
How does Habitat work?
What does a Habitat house cost?
How are partner families selected?
How does Habitat relate to government?
Who controls and manages Habitat Canada?
How widespread is Habitat for Humanity?
How can I become a volunteer?
What is Habitat for Humanity International?
Founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller, Habitat for Humanity International is a Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness worldwide and to making adequate, affordable shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat invites people from all faiths and walks of life to work together in partnership, building houses with families in need. Habitat has built over 70,000 houses around the world, providing more than 350,000 people with safe, decent, affordable shelter.
Habitat for Humanity Canada (HFHC) was established in 1985 and now has over 44 established affiliates in ten provinces. Many new affiliates are also forming in these and otherprovinces. Campus chapters have also formed on university campus all across Canada.
An affilate is a local establishment of Habitat for Humanity.Habitat is a grassroots organization and thus, the bulk of it's work is carried on locally, having community members work together to eliminate substandard housing in their neighbourhood.
Campus Chapters are a way in which students can contribute to the valuable work of this great organization. Campus chapters gives high school and university students an opportunity to put their love into action, to build partnerships with people sharing a common goal, to gain greater awareness of the need for decent and affordable housing, and to deepen their commitment to social action.
The three major goals of
the Campus Chapters of Habitat for Humanity are: Education: Campus chapters
educate fellow students and the community about the need for decent, affordable
housing, and how Habitat fits into the solution. Construction:Participation
in the construction and renovation of houses gives students hands on opportunities
to put their faith into action while building partnerships with Habitat affiliates.
Fundraising:Campus chapters offer creative ways to raise funds for Habitat's
work,
both locally and internationally.
The University of Guelph's Campus Chapter was officially begun in 1996. For more information or to become a member, please email habitat@uoguelph.ca
Through volunteer labour,
efficient management and tax-deductible donations of money and
materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help
of the homeowner (partner) families. Habitat houses are sold to partner families
at no profit, and financed with affordable, no-interest loans. The homeowners'
monthly mortgage payments go into a revolving "Fund for Humanity"
which is used to build more houses. Habitat for Humanity is not a give-away
program. In addition to a downpayment and the mortgage payments, each homeowner
invests hundreds of hours (usually 500) of their own labour, "sweat equity",
into the building of their house and the houses of others.
What does a Habitat house cost?
Currently, a three-bedroom Habitat house in Canada costs the homeowner between $50,000 and $80,000. Prices will differ slightly depending on location and the costs of land, labour and materials. The cost is lower than your average home due to the commitment of volunteers.
In developing nations, a Habitat house costs $500 to $3,000,depending on design, materials and location. Habitat houses are affordable for low-income families because there is no profit included inthe sale price and no interest is charged on the mortgage. The average length of a Habitat mortgage in Canada is 20 years.
How are partner families selected?
Families apply to local
Habitat affiliates. A family selection committee chooses homeowners
based on their level of need,their willingness to become partners with Habitat
and their ability to repay the loan. Every affiliate follows a non-discriminatory
policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing
the families that receive Habitat houses.
How does Habitat relate to government?
Habitat does not accept government funds for the construction of new houses or the repair of existing dwellings. Habitat does accept government funds for the acquisition of land or houses in need of rehabilitation. Habitat also accepts government funds for streets, utilities and administrative expenses, as long as the funds have no strings attached that would violate Habitat's principles.
Who controls and manages Habitat Canada?
The National Board of Directors determines policy and monitors operations. Board members are dedicated volunteers who are deeply concerned about the problems of poverty housing in Canada. Wilmer Martin, President & Chief Executive Officer directs the National Office with an administrative staff, assisted by a core group of dedicated long-termand short-term volunteers. Habitat is a grass-roots movement. Concerned citizens from all walks of life come together as volunteers to form a Habitat for Humanity affiliate in their community. Fund-raising, house construction, family selection and other key decisions are carried out by local affiliates.
For more information on the exective of the UofG campus chapter, please click here.
How widespread is Habitat for Humanity?
There are now over 1,500 active affiliates located across the United States and Canada. Over 500 Campus Chapters have now been formed worldwide. There are also more than 800 building projects coordinated by international affiliates in 58 countries around the world. Due to the extreme poverty found in many developing nations, Habitat affiliates overseas often receive funds for house building from Canadian and U.S. affiliates. However, international affiliates are required to raise as much of their funding locally as possible. All Habitat affiliates are asked to tithe (to give) 10% of their unrestricted cash contributions to fund house building in developing nations. In Canada, affiliates tithe to Habitat for Humanity Jamaica.
How
can I become a volunteer?
To become involved with the University of Guelph's campus chapter, please email
us or view additonal information on our Get Involved Page! To find an affiliate
near you, please use the following search engine.
To become involved in Special
Projects or on a national or international level, please contact
Habitat Canada or Habitat International.
 | Hyo-Sung Jung President 4th Year Biomedical Science |  | Tara Cameron Vice-President 4th Year Studio Art & Cognitive Neuropsychology |
 | Tessa Piscitelli Treasurer 4th Year Sociology & English |  | Nicole Graham Chapter Administrator 5th Year History & English |
 | Heather McConnell Advocacy Coordinator 2nd Year CJPP & English |  | Krystal Oviatt Builds Coordinator 4th Year Biological Science and Business |
 | Katie Adrzejewski Habitat Week Coordinator 4th Year Molecular Biology & Genetics |  | Lisa Ye Webmaster 5th Year Biology & CJPP |
 | Bailey Gould Fundraising and Events Coordinator 2nd Year Agricultural Economics and Sociology |  | Janet MacInnes Faculty Advisor & Habitat Wellington Board Member Department of Pathobiology |
| TEAM FLORIDA | |||
 | Meredith Jewson |  | Larissa Haltigin 2nd Year Hotel and Food Administration |
| TEAM ALABAMA | |||
 | Gill Goodwin 4th Year Child Youth and Family, Geography | | Tessa Piscitelli 4th Year Sociology & English |
| TEAM LOUISIANA | |||
 | Kailyn Fullerton 4th Year English |  | Jessica Wells |
| TEAM MISSISSIPPI | |||
 | Fawn Turner 4th Year Biological Science |  | Melissa Rayburn 4th Year International Development |
| TEAM EL SALVADOR | |||
 | Sarah Flynn 4th Year History and Political Science |  | Amy Watson 4th Year International Development and Biology |
| TEAM HONDURAS | |||
 | Sarah McCarty 4th Year History |  | Caitlin Lutes |