About Us
Our Mission:
Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia builds and rehabilitates houses and neighborhoods by providing simple, decent, affordable homes in partnership with families in need. Reaching out from Christian roots across denominational, faith, economic and racial lines, Habitat works in partnership with prospective and existing homeowners, volunteers, donors, community organizations and all those who can help reach these goals.
Who We Are:
We are Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia, a not-for-profit homeownership ministry dedicated to rebuilding communities and lives in Philadelphia.
What We Do:
Habitat Philadelphia is an independently chartered affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, which developed our model of partnership housing. We don't build houses for needy families, we build houses with them. They put in 350 hours of work on the construction site alongside thousands of volunteers. Volunteers are one part of what makes the houses we build affordable. The other part is a zero-interest mortgage that allows homeowners to pay back the cost of their house through monthly payments that they can afford.
When We Started:
Habitat Philadelphia formed in March 2003 through the merger of four independent city affiliates. Before the merger, those affiliates had completed a total of 106 houses over 15 years. In the past 4 years Habitat Philadelphia has added 29 houses to the mix with 85 located in central north Philadelphia alone.
Where We Build:
In 2007, the lion's share of our building is focused in the East Parkside section of the City where we are constructing seven environmentally friendly homes that are part of the LEED for Homes pilot project. We are also building three house in South Philadelphia, two in Point Breeze and the other near Whitman Plaza. In 2008, we will increase our restabilization of the Point Breeze area with an additional 10 houses. The year 2008 will also mean two additional houses in Germantown and one in North Philadelphia, finishing out the 1900 block of Morse Street.
Why We Help:
In Philadelphia, a worker earning the minimum wage ($5.85 per hour) must work 130 hours per week in order to afford a two-bedroom unit at the area's fair market rent. Affordable housing is considered to be about 30% of a family's pre-tax income. Even in Philadelphia's poorest neighborhoods, rent for a two bedroom apartment starts at around $450 more than 50% of what a full-time minimum wage job provides. A new Habitat Philadelphia homeowner could expect a monthly zero-interest mortgage payment of about $300 as well as very low heating costs due to our energy efficient technologies.
How We Exist:
We can't do this without the help of individuals, businesses, organizations and congregations who provide us with the bulk of our funding and labor. That means you. Please check out the Volunteer and Ways to Give sections of this site and make a commitment to building hope in Philadelphia.