Funding

Habitat for Humanity builds homes with volunteer labour and as much donated or cost-reduced material as possible. Fundraising takes place to help offset expenses of materials, services and land when they are not available through donations. Financial support is received from individuals, corporations, service groups and the faith community.

Mortgage payments from current homeowners are retained by the affiliate, which holds the mortgages, to fund future projects.

Habitat for Humanity houses are sold to families, not given to them free of charge. In addition, families help to build their own home.

By building homes at low cost, requiring very little or no down payment, and not charging interest on the mortgage, Habitat for Humanity is able to provide an opportunity, or a "hand up", to buy a home for families that would not otherwise qualify for a conventional mortgage.

The homeowners' monthly mortgage payments go into a fund that is used to build more homes. The more homes that exist, the more cash flow there is available for further building. This "revolving fund for humanity" fuels exponential growth in the number of houses that are built over time.