Families are selected for Habitat homeownership based on criteria of need, ability to pay, and willingness to partner.
Myth: Habitat gives houses to poor people.
Fact: Houses are not given to anyone. Habitat homeowners purchase their homes through 15- to 20-year, zero-interest mortgages. Their 'down payments' are in the form of 'sweat-equity'. Adult members must work a minimum of 400 hours (250 for a single-adult family) to help build their own and other partner families' homes.
Myth: Once the house is built, the donations are "used up."
Fact: Partner family mortgage payments are used over and over again to build more houses for more people in need.
Myth: Habitat homeowners are on Welfare.
Fact: While some Habitat homeowners may receive public assistance, most are members of the working poor. Most Habitat partner families earn less than 50% of the median income.
Myth: Habitat houses allow people to move from poverty to plush, new houses.
Fact: Any newly-built house is going to be a dramatic change for a family accustomed to living in substandard housing. But Habitat houses are not extravagant. Habitat's philosophy is to build simple, decent, affordable homes. The size of a typical three-bedroom home is about 1,050 square feet.
Myth: You have to be a Christian to become a Habitat homeowner.
Fact: While Habitat was founded as and remains a Christian ministry, Habitat welcomes people of all faiths. Homeowners are chosen without regard to religion, race, creed, or nationality. Volunteers and staff come from diverse backgrounds and faiths. Habitat believes that God's love extends to everyone, Christian or non-Christian.
Myth: Habitat houses lower property values.
Fact: Many studies of low-cost housing show that affordable housing has no adverse effect on neighborhood property values. In fact, Habitat has seen its approach to affordable housing improve neighborhoods and communities.
Myth: Saginaw Habitat only builds on the City of Saginaw's east side.
Fact: Founded in April of 1987, as of December 31, 2007 SHFH has completed 144 simple, decent homes in Saginaw County--110 in the City of Saginaw (25 on the west side), 16 in Carrollton Township, 8 in Buena Vista Township, 6 in Bridgeport Township, 2 in Saginaw Township, and one in Chesaning.
 |
 |
|
© 2010 Saginaw Habitat for Humanity. All rights reserved. All applicants are considered without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, height, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, veterans, weight nor as state or federal law otherwise prohibits.