What is DuPage Habitat for Humanity?

DuPage Habitat for Humanity accomplishes the work of Habitat for Humanity in DuPage County. DuPage Habitat is the "Christ-driven" local affiliate, in "covenant" with Habitat for Humanity International ("Habitat") to serve the people of DuPage County. Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, 501(c) (3), non-denominational, ecumenical, world wide housing ministry based on Christian principles. Founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller, Habitat for Humanity seeks to eliminate substandard housing from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat for Humanity has built more than 100,000 houses, sheltering more than 500,000 people through 2,000 affiliates in 75 countries. Habitat for Humanity has set a goal of building the next 100,000 houses over the next 5 years. People from all walks of life are invited to work in partnership to help build houses with people in need, and support the underlying premise that Habitat is a "hand up not a hand out."

DuPage Habitat for Humanity is one of the few resources available in DuPage County to meet the affordable housing need of limited income families and individual's. Founded in 1995 and starting with 75 volunteers, DuPage Habitat has grown to more than 5,000 skilled and unskilled volunteers; individuals, donors, businesses, civic organizations, and faith based communities working in partnership with selected Families to address the problem of affordable housing in DuPage County. Together, we have built or rehabbed houses with 23 DuPage County families, the new homes to 78 children. DuPage Habitat for Humanity has set a goal of building or rehabbing 32 more houses over the next five years.

Why is building adequate shelter important?

A safe, affordable house matters, and makes a difference in some one's life. Habitat seeks to build lives as well as houses. Lives are changed and the cycle of need is broken. As homeowners, Habitat for Humanity families become invested members of their/our community.

The need for decent housing in the United States and around the world is staggering. An estimated 25 percent of the world's population - more than a billion people - live in poor housing or have no home at all. More than 5 million American households lack an adequate place to live. Families are trapped in a daily struggle to survive amid substandard, often inhuman, living conditions. Habitat is dedicated to the ideal that all people deserve a simple, decent place to live on terms they can afford to pay.

Despite record levels in home sales, and gains in employment and income levels, both nationwide and in DuPage County, the lack of safe affordable housing is a crisis. Did you know that in DuPage County...

• more than 24, 000 families pay more than 50% of their income towards housing costs,

• 5,000 residents live in over-crowded conditions, and

• 7,100 households live in substandard housing?

More families are in need of the "hand up". 6,500 DuPage County households are potential homebuyers from the DuPage Habitat housing program.

How does Habitat for Humanity work?

Habitat for Humanity is not a give away program. There is a "partnering" between DuPage Habitat, the Community, and families in need of better housing who demonstrate a willingness to commit to the terms of 'sweat equity", and meet the four selection criteria, and satisfy the requirements towards the designation and purchase of their house. Each "Applicant Family" must be a resident of DuPage County or the HighPoint Community in Romeoville; have the need for decent, affordable housing; have the ability to make mortgage payments and pay other costs related to home ownership; and have a willingness to "partner" with DuPage Habitat. A "Partner Family" is required to invest a minimum of 250 hours of sweat equity towards the construction or rehabilitation, purchase of their house. Houses (single family, town houses, or duplex-design house) are sold to qualifying families or individuals financed with affordable, non-interest bearing, 30-year mortgages. Mortgage payments are collected by the "partnering" affiliate and deposited into the "Fund for Humanity" which is then used to fund the construction of more houses.

The housing ministry of DuPage Habitat partners with the economic, cultural, and religious diversity of the community; and blends the talents and gifts offered to serve the mission; "to provide opportunities for home ownership to limited income families or individuals..." With limited resources and a responsibility for the stewardship of entrusted funds and valued volunteer time and energy, DuPage Habitat reaches Out and invites people of the community to respond to the issue of affordable housing in DuPage County; people who recognize the need, and work together to make affordable housing attainable. Did you know that...

• 4,000 "building volunteer" hours are needed to build one new DuPage Habitat house;

• for every hour to build one house, it takes another three volunteer hours working "behind the scenes" serving as a volunteer on one of the eight operating committees, as a volunteer at a fund raiser, or working in the office to build a house and serve a family;

• 16,000 total volunteer hours are needed to serve a family in the family service program and home building program, and fund raising;

• 700 "building volunteers" will construct one DuPage Habitat house; and

• 200 active volunteers serve as members of the eight operating committees, at fundraisers, and as office volunteers.

Does Habitat for Humanity only work in the United States?

Habitat for Humanity International's headquarters, located in Americus, Georgia, USA, provide information, training, and a variety of other support services to Habitat affiliates worldwide. Today, Habitat for Humanity's work reaches around the world. Habitat is ever increasing its house-building efforts into a worldwide, global ministry. Currently, more than 2000 affiliates are in all 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Territory of Guam and 75 other countries around the world.

How can I find out more information on Habitat for Humanity and its many programs?

Habitat is so much more than building houses. Habitat's housing program consists of "building". "family services", and "development". Women and men of integrity, courage, determination, faith and hope accomplish the work of Habitat for Humanity in DuPage County by serving on our eight operating committees, fund raisers, office volunteers, building volunteers, and as "servant-leaders" on the Board of Directors. The operating committees include Family Selection, Family Support, Site Selection, Construction Planning, Faith Community Relations, Corporate & Foundation Relations, Marketing & PR, and Special Events & Fund Raisers.

To learn more...

• join us for our regular new volunteer information session at 6:30PM on the second Tuesday of each month then be our guest and stay for the monthly committee meetings which start at 7:00PM. Both are held at BP's Conference Center, Cantera II, 28301 Ferry Road, Warrenville;

• browse through our DuPage Habitat for Humanity's web site (www.dupagehabitat.org) or

• visit Habitat for Humanity International's website: www.habitat.org.

Will donations only benefit DuPage Habitat for Humanity or will the funds be spent elsewhere?

Your donation will be used to support the work of DuPage Habitat for Humanity. Funds will be used towards the house building program, family services, and development. Program related expenses include lot acquisition, permit and building fees, direct construction costs including building materials, skilled labor as needed, and construction supervision; family selection and support, family homeowner education classes, fund raising expenses, and administration.

DuPage Habitat for Humanity supports the work of Habitat for Humanity and our common purpose, to eliminate substandard housing from the world by participating in the affiliate tithe program which is a means for the local affiliate to participate in the global aspect of Habitat's ministry. The tithe, as an underlying Christian principle of Habitat for Humanity, is a cornerstone of the Habitat/Affiliate Covenant, which urges each Habitat affiliate to give 10% of its income to help build houses in other parts of the world. Tithing is a humble way to recognize that all gifts are from God and allows us to share with others the blessings God has so graciously bestowed on the people of DuPage County. Through the affiliate tithe program, DuPage Habitat has funded the construction of 7 houses in Baharona, Dominican Republic.

Will sponsors get a receipt for their donation?

All donations made by check, cash or credit card are acknowledge by DuPage Habitat for Humanity in a letter addressed to each donor. The letter reflects the amount of the donation and expresses our gratitude for their support of the work of DuPage Habitat for Humanity.

To ensure that your sponsor receives our acknowledgement and our thanks, please ensure that your sponsor's name, mailing address, and amount are correctly reflected on the Sponsor Sign-up Sheet. Bring your completed Sheet(s) along with your donations when you sign in.

Will you accept credit cards on Sponsor Sheets?

Yes. Please ensure that the cardholder's name, mailing address and phone number are correctly shown on the Sponsor Sign-up Sheet. Jon Peterson, Business Manager for DuPage Habitat, will contact them to obtain their credit card information (card, account number, and expiration date). A completed receipt will be mailed to the sponsor.

How do I make a donation to support the Volleyball Tournament or Family Walk Fundraisers?

Please see your local volleyball team member or family walker for details.

What if I or my sponsor have further questions?

You or your sponsor can call Jon Peterson, Business Manager, or Sarah Brachle, Operations Manager, at DuPage Habitat for Humanity. Please call (630) 510-3737.

Is there a minimum donation from an individual sponsor?

No. Any amount of donation is welcomed from an individual sponsor.

However, please keep in mind that the purpose of the volleyball tournament and other fundraisers is to raise money for the work of DuPage Habitat for Humanity. Last year fourteen teams raised $12,000. This year our goal is for twenty teams to raise $15,000. While there is no minimum or maximum donation per team, a team donation of $750 will enable us to reach our goal.

Building Community through Partnership, the Kingdom of God unfolds through you