What is the Habitat Model?
Habitat assists low-income families to build their home by providing volunteer labour, donated materials and no-profit, no-interest mortgages tailored to their income level. As mortgages are repaid the funds are used to build more houses.Habitat is a non-profit, faith based housing organization that works with people of all backgrounds, races and religions.
What is meant by “faith based”?
Habitat for Humanity was founded by an evangelical Christian couple, Millard and Linda Fuller. As with many Christians, they believed in doing good works to testify to their religious faith. However, as Fuller said, “On a Habitat work site, we have an open door. We don’t have a gatekeeper who says ‘I’ve got to check out your doctrine before you can hammer nails.’” People of all faiths or no faith are welcome to join us.
How do you select Habitat partner families?
We build homes for low-income working families with children. Criteria to qualify for a Habitat home include: a need for affordable housing, ability to repay a Habitat mortgage, and willingness to partner with Habitat and contribute 500 hours of sweat equity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, cultural or ethnic background.
For more information, please view the short slide presentation below.
While other affiliates have ReStores that sell donated new and used building materials to the community, Kelowna does not at this time. The nearest ReStore is in Kamloops. We’re happy to take donations of re-saleable or usable items. We sell donations of this sort through Western Star Auctions. Please check with us or them first before dropping off your donation.
