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Frequently Asked Questions

How Does Habitat work?

Fox Cities Habitat partners with qualified families to create safe, decent and affordable housing. These families take budgeting and home ownership seminars and contribute 300-500 hours of sweat equity hours toward the construction of their home and the homes of other Habitat families. They pay a down payment as well as monthly mortgage payments on a 15-30 year 0% interest mortgage held by the affiliate. Homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments create a revolving “Fund for Humanity” that is used to construct other homes.

When was Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity started?

Fox Cities habitat has been serving families in need since 1993 and has built more than 120 homes to date. Locally, a small, professional staff manages the general programs with assistance from a Board of Directors and committees made up of men and women in the Fox Cities who volunteer their time to Habitat. 

How are homes built?

Heavily dependent upon volunteer labor, Habitat purchases land and materials with donations from individuals, congregations, service groups, businesses and foundations. Habitat construction staff, volunteers, homeowners and local community partners work together to construct homes. Read more about Volunteering.

Are contributions to Habitat tax-deductible?

Yes. Habitat is incorporated as a tax-exempt, non-profit organization 501(c)(3).
Donor Privacy Policy:  Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity is firmly committed to donors' privacy.  We will neither sell nor share any of our donor lists.

How are families selected?

Qualifying applicants must be legal residents of the United States, living and working in the Fox Cities for at least one year prior to application, and be living in inadequate conditions. A volunteer family selection committee reviews all applicants and follows a non-discriminatory selection process, based on housing need, ability to repay the loan and the ability to partner with Habitat by working sweat equity hours. Every day Habitat meets families who live in overcrowded and substandard housing.

How can I help Habitat?

You can help by volunteering at Habitat’s construction sites; serving on committees; teaching classes for partner families; making a donation of land, materials, or money; working in the Habitat ReStore; or simply by spreading the word. Your involvement does make a difference.

Does a Habitat house lower neighborhood property values?

Many studies of low-cost housing show that affordable housing has no adverse effect on other neighborhood property values. Habitat’s approach to affordable housing improves neighborhoods and communities by strengthening community spirit and increasing the tax base while building better citizens through the cooperative efforts involved in Habitat construction.

Can Habitat homeowners sell their houses and make a large profit because of the original low cost?

Habitat negotiates a second mortgage with the homeowner to secure its equity (the fair market value of donated goods and services) in the home. This second mortgage is paid off over time simply by the family living in the home. If a family wishes to sell a home before their mortgage is paid, the second mortgage would also have to be paid by the homeowner.

Does Habitat only build for minorities?

Habitat doesn’t build houses for anyone. We build houses with people in need, without regard to race. The U.S. Fair Housing Act of 1968 prohibits discrimination in the sale of housing on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, handicap, familial status or national origin. The covenant that all local Habitat affiliates sign with Habitat for Humanity International also specifies that Habitat homeowner families are selected “according to criteria that do not discriminate on the basis of race, creed or ethnic background.”

Do you have to be a Christian to become a Habitat homeowner?

Habitat for Humanity was founded as and is a Christian ministry. However, homeowners are chosen without regard to race, creed or nationality-following the requirements of the law as well as Habitat’s belief that God’s love extends to all. Habitat also welcomes volunteers from all faiths- or no faith-who actively embrace the goal of eliminating poverty housing from the world.

Are Habitat homes fancy new houses?

Any newly built house is going to be a dramatic change for a family that has been living in substandard housing, but Habitat houses are not extravagant by any standard. Habitat’s philosophy is to build simple, decent and affordable houses. The average 3 bedroom Fox Cities Habitat home sells for $80,000 and is about 1,100 square feet.

Is Habitat for Humanity an arm of the government?

No, Habitat for Humanity is an independent, nonprofit, Christian housing ministry. It is not an arm of the government, nor an arm of any particular church denomination. Habitat does accept government funds for infrastructure, utilities, capacity building or training, and house building.

Are Habitat homeowners on welfare?

While some Habitat homeowners do receive public assistance, most work lower income jobs. Habitat works in good faith with people who often are at risk in society, knowing that owning a home is not the answer to every problem, but that it can be an important step-often the first step- toward helping people break out of the cycle of poverty.

Poverty housing is such a large problem, can it ever be solved?

Poverty housing is a huge issue, but Habitat believes that by continuing to build houses with people in need, by working with other committed groups, and by putting the issue of poverty housing on the hearts and minds of compassionate people everywhere, the problem can be solved.