People are the key—it’s how Habitat works.

Habitat works when everyone works together. From donors to volunteers to hard-working homeowners, here’s how we bring people together to build homes and hope.

Each and every day, people all over the world (and all over east central Ohio) partner with Habitat for Humanity to offer families strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. Through this partnership, each family has the opportunity to build and purchase their own decent home with an affordable zero-interest mortgage. When hard-working families are surrounded and supported by determined volunteers and generous donors, a future full of opportunity is built. Here’s how Habitat works.

Habitat for Humanity homeowner holding keys to home.

one

the partnership begins

Habitat for Humanity partners with individuals and families to help them achieve strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. Families must be currently living in substandard housing, have a steady income, and be willing to partner with Habitat. Learn more about homeownership.

two

property is acquired

Land for a family’s future home is donated to or purchased by Habitat. Habitat also renovates existing homes that are donated or purchased to create safe housing through the Preserve-A-Home program. Would you like to make a tax-deductible land or property donation? Contact us today.

three

resources are secured

Sponsors and donors contribute the financial resources that allow Habitat to secure the required materials and services to build or renovate each home. Businesses and organizations also donate their materials and services as a tax-deductible gift-in-kind. Contact us to learn more.

four

future homeowners prepare

Future homeowners progress through the Habitat partnership by completing sweat equity hours. This includes building their home and the homes of other families, participating in Homeowner Maintenance Education (HOME), completing financial literacy courses, and much more. Learn more about sweat equity.

five

the home is built or renovated

Volunteers contribute their time to build or renovate a family’s home. While serving with Habitat, volunteers will work alongside future homeowners and Habitat site supervisors – no previous experience or skill required. Volunteers are the heart of Habitat for Humanity! Learn more about volunteering with Habitat.

six

the home is sold

Once all of the partnership requirements have been met and the home construction or renovation is complete, the home is sold to the deserving family with a long term, zero interest mortgage. The family or individual now owns a safe, decent, and affordable home.

seven

the cycle repeats

As current Habitat homeowners make payments on their zero interest mortgage, they are helping to fund the construction and renovation of additional homes with other low-income families. Every Habitat for Humanity home, whether new or renovated, has some funding from homeowner house payments and proceeds from Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

one

the partnership begins

Habitat for Humanity partners with individuals and families to help them achieve strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. Families must be currently living in substandard housing, have a steady income, and be willing to partner with Habitat. Learn more about homeownership.

two

property is acquired

Land for a family’s future home is donated to or purchased by Habitat. Habitat also renovates existing homes that are donated or purchased to create safe housing through the Preserve-A-Home program. Would you like to make a tax-deductible land or property donation? Contact us today.

three

resources are secured

Sponsors and donors contribute the financial resources that allow Habitat to secure the required materials and services to build or renovate each home. Businesses and organizations also donate their materials and services as a tax-deductible gift-in-kind. Contact us to learn more.

four

future homeowners prepare

Future homeowners progress through the Habitat partnership by completing sweat equity hours. This includes building their home and the homes of other families, participating in Homeowner Maintenance Education (HOME), completing financial literacy courses, and much more. Learn more about sweat equity.

five

the home is built or renovated

Volunteers contribute their time to build or renovate a family’s home. While serving with Habitat, volunteers will work alongside future homeowners and Habitat site supervisors – no previous experience or skill required. Volunteers are the heart of Habitat for Humanity! Learn more about volunteering with Habitat.

six

the home is sold

Once all of the partnership requirements have been met and the home construction or renovation is complete, the home is sold to the deserving family with a long term, zero interest mortgage. The family or individual now owns a safe, decent, and affordable home.

seven

the cycle repeats

As current Habitat homeowners make payments on their zero interest mortgage, they are helping to fund the construction and renovation of additional homes with other low-income families. Every Habitat for Humanity home, whether new or renovated, has some funding from homeowner house payments and proceeds from Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

How Families Qualify

To be eligible to purchase a Habitat home, potential homeowners must meet three areas of qualification:

Ability to Pay

Habitat homes are not given away. They are sold to partner families with a zero-interest mortgage. Each family must demonstrate steady income.

Need for Decent, Affordable Housing

A family must be currently living in sub-standard housing. Habitat works each day to help families discover decent, affordable housing.

Willingness to Partner

A family must have the willingness to partner with Habitat by investing Sweat Equity in their home and the homes of other families.

How Communities Benefit

When the people of a community are strengthened, the whole community is improved.

Habitat Homeownership Creates Property Tax Payers

Families who partner with Habitat for Humanity are active, invested families who care deeply for the communities they are a part of. As families settle in to their new homes and become a part of the tax base, the whole community is strengthened.

Habitat Connects People Directly to Those They Are Helping

Every person who volunteers and donates is a key part of changing a family’s future. Partner families aren’t people who are in far away places. They’re folks who live and work in this community.

Partnering with Habitat Helps God's People to Put Their Faith to Work

As a Christian ministry, Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio offers people of all faiths the opportunity to live out a commitment to service and care for the most vulnerable in our communities.

Committed Home Buyers Improve the Homeownership Base

When a community has a high rate of homeownership, a beautiful cycle of investment begins. This commitment to a better community means that everyone enjoys a stronger and healthier neighborhood.

Invested Homeowners Overcome Urban and Rural Blight

When invested homeowners focus their attention on keeping their home and community in excellent condition, neighborhoods enjoy higher levels of safety, security, and pride of ownership.

Volunteering with Habitat Develops Team-Building Skills

There’s something special about serving together, and sharing an experience that is not only enjoyable, but makes a lasting impact for a family in need. Churches, businesses, organizations, and groups of all types and sizes can partner with us.

Volunteer

Whatever your skill set, stage of life, or passion, there is a place for you.

Donate

Build the foundation of a family's future with a gift of any size.

Own a Home

Every one of us deserves a decent and affordable place to call home.

ReStore

Donate and shop for home goods at the store that builds homes.