Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit Christian housing ministry originally founded by Millard and Linda Fuller, and is also supported by former U.S. President, Jimmie Carter. Habitat for Humanity works both to eliminate poverty housing around the world and to make adequate housing a matter of conscience and action. People from all walks of life are invited to work with people in need. To date, Habitat has built more than 100,000 houses around the world, providing some 500,000 people in more than 2,000 communities with safe, adequate and affordable houses.
The need for decent housing in the United States and around the world is staggering. An estimated 25 percent of the world’s population live in poor housing or have no homes at all. Habitat was started in the United States in 1976, but today reaches around the world with affiliates in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Territory of Guam and 75 other countries.
Habitat houses are not given but are built in partnership with people living in poverty, which are then sold to the partners. Because of Habitat’s no profit, no interest loans, and because most of the work is done by volunteer labor, mortgage payments are affordable for low-income partners. (Read The Dollar that Keeps on Giving)
While habitat for humanity is a Christian organization it chooses homeowners regardless of race, creed, gender, or marital status in keeping with the law and because Habitat believes that God’s love extends to all.
The Mid-Iowa Habitat for Humanity was started by the late Smoakie Morrow and a small group from Colfax, Iowa back in 1989. Wanting to make a difference in their community, the group’s first project was a house renovation in Colfax. Since then, 12 houses have been built all over the county and two more houses are planned for 2010. The organization is looking for future building sites, especially in Prairie City and Baxter.
The mission of the Mid-Iowa Habitat for Humanity is to help build safe, decent, affordable housing for all of God’s people. Spreading neighborly love through acts of kindness within Jasper County, Marshall County, Poweshiek County and Tama County is also part of that mission. We sincerely hope you will consider working with us as we move forward to achieve this mission.
If you have any questions or would like to partner with us call Doug Garrett at (515) 250-8857.
