(1) MYTH: Syracuse Habitat for Humanity gives homes away for free.
TRUTH: Syracuse Habitat for Humanity “lends a hand up, not a hand out.” Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Syracuse Habitat for Humanity homes are sold to partner families at no profit and are financed as no interest loans for 20 years. To ensure commitment, Syracuse Habitat for Humanity requires homeowners to invest 300 volunteer hours, “sweat equity hours,” as well as provide a $500.00 down payment. Our houses are sold at 0% interest; therefore, the first mortgage payment begins to build equity and credit for families who otherwise would not qualify for a mortgage due to income level.
Some requirements for homeownership include:
- Your income is 80% below HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) guidelines.
- You are currently living in substandard housing.
- You have the ability to pay a mortgage and have a decent history of financial responsibility
- You can make an earnest down payment of $500 prior to homeownership
- You have a willingness to partner with Habitat and work 300 sweat equity hours.
(2) MYTH: Syracuse Habitat builds homes only for minorities.
TRUTH: Remember, Syracuse Habitat for Humanity builds houses with people, not for people. All homeowners need to qualify for a home, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, handicap, familial status or nationality. Our affiliate has an agreement with Habitat for Humanity International that specifies that Habitat homeowner families are selected “according to criteria that does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed or ethnic background.” Syracuse Habitat for Humanity also is in compliance with the U.S. Fair Housing Act of 1968.
Many people also assume that you must be a Christian to apply for a Habitat Home. This is another common myth. Although Habitat for Humanity was created as a Christian Ministry, Syracuse Habitat for Humanity follows the requirements of the law as well as Habitat’s belief that God’s love extends to all. Syracuse Habitat welcomes people of all faiths to volunteer, donate and apply for homeownership.
(3) MYTH: Habitat houses allow people to move from poverty into a luxurious new home.
TRUTH: Our houses are a dramatic change and improvement for our partner families. Our homes are simple and affordable. Habitat homes are ranch style. They have three bedrooms and one bath. The style of the home varies between each Habitat affiliate nationally, but all provide safe, decent and affordable housing to families in need.
(4) MYTH: Habitat for Humanity International was started by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and is a branch of the government.
TRUTH: This is one of the most common misconceptions about Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity International was started in Americus, Georgia, in 1976 by Millard Fuller, along with his wife, Linda. Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, are longtime Habitat supporters. Through Former President Carter’s work, he has mobilized thousands of Habitat volunteers who have brought national and international attention to our organization and its mission. The annual Jimmy Carter Work Project helps build houses and raise awareness of the need for affordable housing. Since the first work project in 1984, more than 2,000 houses have been built in conjunction with the Jimmy Carter Work Project events.
Remember, Habitat for Humanity International is an independent, nonprofit Christian housing ministry and not an arm of the government. Syracuse Habitat and Habitat International do accept government funds for infrastructure, utilities, capacity building or training, and house building, so long as those funds do not affect Habitat’s ability to proclaim its Christian witness.
(5) MYTH: Syracuse only fights poverty through building homes.
TRUTH: The ReStore is a fantastic way to help support Syracuse Habitat for Humanity. Our ReStore is where we accept donations of new and used building supplies and resell the donations to the general public. On a daily basis, Syracuse Habitat for Humanity is improving people’s standard of living by providing affordable materials for home improvement projects. All proceeds are used to help support future builds by Syracuse Habitat. Through our ReStore, we keep perfectly good materials out of landfills and encourage good stewardship of the Earth’s resources. The ReStore has kept over 600,000 pounds of waste out of landfills since opening in 2004. If you would like more information on the ReStore and learn how to donate, please visit our website at www.syracuserestore.org or feel free to call the ReStore at 475-9172.
