It is often assumed that these homes are given away to the homeless.  Did you know that nothing is given away? The only gift is the opportunity it provides. All applicants must go through a screening process and meet low income guidelines and approval requirements. Everyone accepted must provide 500 hours of sweat equity and pay mortgage payments, taxes and insurance. Habitat owners in the United States pay no interest on their no-profit mortgages but it is adjusted outside of the United States to make up for inflation rates. Home- owners are allowed to sell their homes but local Habitat affiliates are given the first right of refusal.

Some people believe that Habitat for Humanity survives through government funding. Did you know that there is no such funding? Habitat is a Christian inter-faith organization that receives grants and funding through faith-based organizations, corporations and great community support and plain old sweat equity.

Another misconception is that Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter began Habitat for Humanity. Did you know that what they established was a prosperous peanut farm in Americus, Georgia and not a world wide home building movement?  However, they have been vigilant and ardent supporters of Habitat since 1984. In fact, they established the annual Jimmy Carter Work Project “blitz build.” Its been renamed to include Rosalynn in the title. In November 2009, volunteers will join the Carters in the Mekong River region of Southeast Asia. An estimated 300 homes will be built in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and the Yunnan Province in China.

Rosalynn’s hand is not the only woman’s hand on the hammer. Did you know that entire Women-build crews have been constructing Habitat houses since the first one in 1991 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Globally, more than 1400 homes are the result of Women Build volunteers. The 2009 National Women Build Week (May 2-10) was designed to showcase these skills.  It also leads up to Mother’s Day and a card perfect opportunity for celebration.

Did you know that Habitat for Humanity has also been creative in the marketplace? It now offers the Recipes for Financial Fitness Toolkit.  This is an interactive program providing financial self-help via lessons and worksheets in the format of “100 recipes.” This is a partnership with the National Endowment for Financial Education.   This is certainly an endeavor that fits the economic times.

One can also go shopping for Habitat for Humanity. Did you know that there are now numerous Restores throughout the United States and Canada? These outlets sell new and reused building and household materials that have been donated from building sites and companies. The proceeds help fund future construction within that community.  This is just another example of the recipe for success that defines Habitat for Humanity and its global outreach.