Our Beginning
Local citizens who were concerned about the housing problems in our area attended meetings in 1992 and organized a steering committee. This group worked with Habitat for Humanity International and developed a set of bylaws in keeping with the principles of Habitat for Humanity. The group was recognized as Neenah-Menasha Area Habitat for Humanity on February of 1993, but expansion plans led to the change of our name to Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity in 1996. As an affiliate we follow the philosophy and operation guidelines setup by Habitat for Humanity International, but operate as a separate entity. Each affiliate is registered with their state as a non-profit organization and completely responsible for funding and building homes in their area. Affiliates are governed by a local board of directors and operate through working committees.
What We Do
Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity builds houses using volunteer labor and funds raised from the support of local businesses, churches, individual donors and fund-raising events. These houses are sold at no profit and no interest to a partner family chosen through a nondiscriminatory selection process. Partner families become 'Habitat Homeowners' after they have completed the required number of sweat equity hours. A small down payment of $500 is required, and the interest-free mortgage is held by our affiliate. Homeowners are required to pay monthly mortgage payments and obtain homeowners insurance.
What is Sweat Equity?
Each partner family is required to complete 300 hours (single adult family) or 500 hours (two adult family). Homeowners are required to work on the construction site of their home, other Habitat homes, attend budget classes, attend homeowner education courses, and complete community service hours with other non-profit organizations. Habitat has this requirement because we are a hand-up, not a hand-out. We want the family to develop a sense of ownership through hard work on their own home. Applicants who lack interest or motivation to help themselves are not viable candidates for our program.