Common misconceptions about Habitat for Humanity:
- Myth: Habitat for Humanity gives houses to poor people
- Truth: Houses are not given to anyone. Habitat builds houses with people in need and then sells the houses to homeowner partners through no-profit loans. Habitat homeowners are required to invest hundreds of hours in “Sweat Equity”—that is, time spent building their own home or other Habitat houses.
- Myth: You have to be a Christian to become a Habitat homeowner
- Truth: Habitat for Humanity was founded as a Christian ministry. However, homeowners are chosen without regard to race, creed or nationality. Habitat welcomes volunteers from all faiths—or no faith—who actively embrace the goal of eliminating poverty housing in our community, and around the world.
- Myth: Habitat houses lower neighborhood property values
- Truth: Studies repeatedly show that affordable housing has no adverse effect on other neighborhood property values. Habitat’s approach to affordable housing strengthens neighborhoods by building cooperative spirit as well as increasing the community tax base.
- Myth: Habitat for Humanity was started by former President Jimmy Carter
- Truth: Habitat for Humanity International was started in Americus, Ga., in 1976 by Millard Fuller and his wife Linda. Former President Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, are longtime Habitat supporters and volunteers who help bring national and international attention to the organization.
- Myth: All Habitat homeowners are on welfare
- Truth: While some Habitat homeowners may receive public assistance, most work at low-wage jobs. Habitat works in good faith with people who may be at risk in in our community, knowing that owning a home is not the answer to every problem, but that it can be an important step—often the first step—toward helping people break out of the cycle of poverty.
- Myth: Habitat only builds houses for minorities
- Truth: Habitat builds houses with people in need, without regard to race. The covenant that all local Habitat affiliates sign with Habitat for Humanity International specifies that Habitat homeowner families are selected “according to criteria that do not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, or ethnic background.”