Frequently Asked Questions

• What Is Habitat for Humanity?

• How Does Habitat Work?

• Do You Have To Be A Christian to Become A Habitat Homeowner?

• How Does A Habitat Project Get Started?

• What Does It Mean To Recycle Funds?

• How Does Habitat Relate To Government?

• Who Are Habitat’s Community Partners?

• Does Habitat Give Away Houses?

• Isn’t There Enough Rental Housing In Brant?

• How Much Does It Cost To Sponsor A Home?

• What Is Unique About Donating To Habitat?

• What Is The Habitat ReStore?

• What Can I Do To Help?

Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller. Habitat is a non-profit housing ministry based on Christian principles seeking to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness worldwide. Habitat invites people from all social, ethnic, religious and economic backgrounds to work in partnership to build hope and homes with families in need.

Through volunteer labour, efficient management and tax-deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat houses are built and sold to partner families at no profit, and financed with affordable, no-interest loans, geared to their financial circumstances. The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments go into a revolving “fund for humanity” which is used to build more homes.

No. Although Habitat for Humanity is a Christian based organization, it is open to all who are in need of better housing. We welcome the full participation of all.

 First we acquire suitable and affordable land within a welcoming community on which to build a home. Next, we find a family who is ready for a new start in life. Finally, we begin fundraising for building materials and money to complete our task and recruit the necessary volunteers.

Mortgage income, donations, no-interest loans and income from fundraising activities are constantly recycled to support the construction of more houses.

Habitat for Humanity Brant has received grants from local municipalities to pay for land, development charges, and in some cases, servicing of the projects.

Habitat fulfills its mission by forming partnerships with individuals, faith-based groups, businesses and service organizations from across Brantford and Brant County.

Habitat for Humanity is not a give-away program. In addition to regular mortgage payments, each homeowner contributes 500 hours of unpaid labour to the building of their house and other houses. This is called “sweat equity.” Sweat equity increases pride of ownership and reduces Habitat’s costs.

It’s true there are a lot of housing developments throughout the region. However, there is currently an affordable housing crisis in this region. Today, many low-income working families are spending more than 50% of their income on rental housing that’s both substandard and unsafe. Housing and living costs are also rising much faster than family incomes. Someone working a steady job at minimum wage will gross a little over $14,000 per year.

It currently costs about $75,000 to sponsor a Habitat for Humanity Brant build depending on the cost of land. The homes built are decent homes that families can afford to purchase. Habitat believes in building good quality, well-constructed homes without expensive options.

Habitat is a unique charity because every fundraising dollar goes directly into home construction. Also, Habitat for Humanity also holds each mortgage issued to family partners. Therefore, the payments made towards the loans are recycled back in the pool of funds available to build more homes.

Habitat ReStore is a home renovation centre that carries new and used building products. The ReStore supports families and the overall vision of affordable housing by providing revenue for the administrative costs so that all charitable donations go directly to building homes. In addition, the Restore provides an excellent opportunity for the whole community to purchase new building products or to recycle used building products.

Get involved! Send a donation to Habitat for Humanity Brant and/or participate in a fundraising event. We need people to help build, to serve on committees and to spread the word about Habitat. Call (519) 759-8600 for more information, send us an email at info@habitatbrant.org or fill in one of our volunteer forms.