FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the origins of Alachua Habitat for Humanity?
Alachua Habitat is one of over 1,900 affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical ministry based on Christian principles. Incorporated in 1986, construction on the first home began in 1988.

How many houses have been built?
As of April 2004, Alachua Habitat has completed 63 houses. In December 2003, groundbreaking took place for Celebration Oaks, a 60-home Habitat community in southeast Gainesville off Hawthorne Road. Habitat will focus its resources on this exciting project over the next two years.

How are homes financed?
Generous individuals, businesses, churches and civic groups donate money, materials and labor for house construction. Homeowners purchase their home through a no-interest, 20 - 30 year loan, with a $750 down payment. Mortgage payments are recycled to build more houses for very low-income families who cannot afford conventional financing.

How are families chosen and what is their partnership with Habitat?
Interested families submit an application to the Family Selection Committee, which examines the need for housing, ability to pay, and willingness to be a partner. Families are expected to contribute 200 hours of "sweat equity" on construction of the homes of others before they are fully approved to begin building their own home. They then spend at least 200 hours on construction of their own home. Partnership is the key to building strong relationships between persons who might otherwise be isolated from each other. Shelter is a necessity, but relationships are what are important. Persons on the Family Nurture Committee act as friends, helpers, listeners, and sometimes advocates for the family. Families are chosen without regard to race or religion.

What is a house sponsor?
Churches, businesses, civic groups, or groups of individuals can underwrite and build a house. The Crom Corporation, Nationwide Insurance, Barnett Bank, Scotty's and Home Depot have all been corporate sponsors. First Baptist Church, Trinity United Methodist, a coalition of Presbyterian and Christian churches, University and Gethsemane Lutheran, churches in High Springs, United Church of Gainesville, First Lutheran, St. Patrick's Catholic Church, and a coalition of Catholic churches have also built homes with funds they have raised. The Gainesville Junior Women's Club, the Home Builders Association and the Gainesville Rotary Club are civic and professional groups that have sponsored houses. The cost to sponsor a Habitat house is $44,000.

How is the government involved?
Habitat for Humanity does not accept government funds for construction. Government funds and assistance are accepted, however, for purchase of land and for infrastructure, such as utility hook ups, land improvement, roads and sidewalks. The City of Gainesville has been supportive in providing such funding, the most notable instance being a cul-de-sac on "Partnership Acres," a five-house subdivision located on the 600 block of NW 12th Street. Alachua County and the City of High Springs have both been involved in helping Habitat obtain the necessary lots and permits to build. Federal HOME program funds, Downtown Redevelopment Agency funds and Community Development Block Grant funds have also been used for land acquisition or setting the scene for construction. The Alachua County SHIP program provided a grant to support the development of the infrastructure at Celebration Oaks.

Who controls and manages Alachua Habitat for Humanity?
An ecumenical board of 20 members meets monthly to monitor operations and determine policy. Board members work on specialized committees with other volunteers to handle tasks such as family selection, resource development, construction, publicity, etc. The Executive Committee meets semi-monthly to deal with current issues. A full-time Executive Director is employed to oversee and coordinate daily operations.

How is Alachua Habitat involved in Habitat's international mission?
Ten percent of Alachua Habitat's income from unrestricted donations supports a sister project in El Salvador, Central America. The average cost of a house in our sister project is $1,200 to $1,500. Summer work camps to El Salvador enable us to help build houses there and see how our contributions are being utilized.

How can I help?

Donate time: Skilled and unskilled people are welcome on the construction site. There are also opportunities to be involved in family selection, family nurture, publicity, resource development, site selection and planning, office and computer work, helping in the Thrift Store, etc.

Donate Items: Habitat sells donated items at its Thrift Store to help fund its building projects. Donations of building materials, furniture, appliances, and household and garden equipment in good condition are accepted.

Donate Money: You can become a financial partner by sending a one-time gift, making a monthly pledge, or making a no-interest loan. Every donation continues to give many times over as the family pays their mortgage payment. Your donation is a long-term investment.

Spread the Word: You can also help by telling others about Habitat. Call the office for Habitat literature or request a speaker to address your group.