Myth vs. Fact
Myth: Habitat for Humanity gives houses away to poor people.
Fact: Habitat for Humanity offers home ownership opportunities to area residents who are unable to obtain conventional house financing. Generally, this includes those people whose income is 30 to 60 percent of the area's median income. Once selected, Habitat home buyers make a $500 down payment. Additionally, they contribute 200 hours from each adult 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 approximately 3,000 hours of volunteer labor, mortgage payments are kept affordable. The cost of the mortgage, insurance, and property taxes is capped at 30% of the annual income. This is always less than what it costs to rent a modest size apartment. Owning a Habitat home is a way to build equity while having a safe, sufficient, and an affordable place to live.
Myth: Habitat houses reduce a neighborhood’s property values.
Fact: Housing studies show affordable housing has no adverse effect on neighborhood property values. In fact, Habitat houses usually increase property values and always add property tax income for the town.
Myth: Only people from a specific racial or ethnic background are chosen for Habitat for Humanity homes.
Fact: Habitat builds houses in partnership with area residents in need of safe, sufficient, and affordable housing regardless of race, religion or any other difference. Prospective homeowners must meet four criteria: need; ability to repay the mortgage; a willingness to partner with Habitat and residency. Applicants must have lived in our worked in Rutland County for a minimum of one full year at the time of the application.
Myth: Habitat homeowners are on welfare.
Fact: While some Habitat home buyers receive aid to families with dependent children, most are working people. Typically, home buyers annual income is less than half the local median income in their community.
Myth: You have to be Christian to become a Habitat homeowner.
Fact: 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.
Myth: Habitat for Humanity International dictates policy and practices for every local Habitat organization.
Fact: Local Habitat affiliates are independent, non-profit organizations that operate within a specific service area within the framework of the Habitat Affiliate Covenant. Rutland County is our service area.
Myth: Habitat for Humanity is an arm of the government.
Fact: Habitat for Humanity is not an arm of the government. Habitat for Humanity is an independent, non-profit organization that accepts some government funds and other resources to help provide home ownership opportunities for people in need.
Myth: Habitat for Humanity was founded by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.
Fact: Habitat was started in 1976 in Americus, Ga., by the late Millard Fuller and his wife Linda. Former President Carter and his wife Rosalynn (whose home is eight miles from Americus, in Plains, Ga.), have been longtime Habitat supporters and volunteers who help bring national attention to the organization's house-building work. Each year, they lead the Jimmy Carter Work Project to help build houses and raise awareness of the need for affordable housing.
Fact: Habitat for Humanity offers home ownership opportunities to area residents who are unable to obtain conventional house financing. Generally, this includes those people whose income is 30 to 60 percent of the area's median income. Once selected, Habitat home buyers make a $500 down payment. Additionally, they contribute 200 hours from each adult 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 approximately 3,000 hours of volunteer labor, mortgage payments are kept affordable. The cost of the mortgage, insurance, and property taxes is capped at 30% of the annual income. This is always less than what it costs to rent a modest size apartment. Owning a Habitat home is a way to build equity while having a safe, sufficient, and an affordable place to live.
Myth: Habitat houses reduce a neighborhood’s property values.
Fact: Housing studies show affordable housing has no adverse effect on neighborhood property values. In fact, Habitat houses usually increase property values and always add property tax income for the town.
Myth: Only people from a specific racial or ethnic background are chosen for Habitat for Humanity homes.
Fact: Habitat builds houses in partnership with area residents in need of safe, sufficient, and affordable housing regardless of race, religion or any other difference. Prospective homeowners must meet four criteria: need; ability to repay the mortgage; a willingness to partner with Habitat and residency. Applicants must have lived in our worked in Rutland County for a minimum of one full year at the time of the application.
Myth: Habitat homeowners are on welfare.
Fact: While some Habitat home buyers receive aid to families with dependent children, most are working people. Typically, home buyers annual income is less than half the local median income in their community.
Myth: You have to be Christian to become a Habitat homeowner.
Fact: 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.
Myth: Habitat for Humanity International dictates policy and practices for every local Habitat organization.
Fact: Local Habitat affiliates are independent, non-profit organizations that operate within a specific service area within the framework of the Habitat Affiliate Covenant. Rutland County is our service area.
Myth: Habitat for Humanity is an arm of the government.
Fact: Habitat for Humanity is not an arm of the government. Habitat for Humanity is an independent, non-profit organization that accepts some government funds and other resources to help provide home ownership opportunities for people in need.
Myth: Habitat for Humanity was founded by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.
Fact: Habitat was started in 1976 in Americus, Ga., by the late Millard Fuller and his wife Linda. Former President Carter and his wife Rosalynn (whose home is eight miles from Americus, in Plains, Ga.), have been longtime Habitat supporters and volunteers who help bring national attention to the organization's house-building work. Each year, they lead the Jimmy Carter Work Project to help build houses and raise awareness of the need for affordable housing.
Mailing Address:
Habitat for Humanity of Rutland County
551 Rutland Road
West Rutland, Vermont 05777 Phone: 802-747-7440
rutlandhabitat@gmail.com Privacy Statement
Habitat for Humanity of Rutland County
551 Rutland Road
West Rutland, Vermont 05777 Phone: 802-747-7440
rutlandhabitat@gmail.com Privacy Statement
