Habitat for Humanity International is a Christian housing ministry founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller. Its mission is to eliminate poverty housing and to make decent shelter for everyone a matter of conscience. Habitat for Humanity works to provide simple, decent, affordable homes in countries all over the world without regard to ethnicity, race or creed.
Fremont Area Habitat for Humanity, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, builds homes with and for low-income families who lack adequate housing. Fremont Area Habitat for Humanity has been an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity since 1993. It serves people in the Fremont, NE area. Fremont Area Habitat has built one to five homes annually in partnership with qualified, selected, low-income partner families.
Where is the Habitat office and how is it staffed?
Our office is in the Chamber building located in downtown Fremont at 605 N. Broad St. The phone number is 402-721-8771.
How does the process work?
Volunteers and partner families, supervised by a professional contractor, build simple, decent and affordable homes that are funded by tax-deductible donations of money and materials. Houses are sold – never given away – to partner families for the cost of construction at no profit to Habitat. Habitat provides no-interest loans to partner families. This makes mortgage payments affordable for low-income families.
Partner families work “sweat equity” hours on building homes and other approved projects. Families with two adults must complete 350 hours of sweat equity, while families with one adult must complete 250 hours. Working sweat equity gives new homeowners new skills and pride of ownership. It also fosters relationships with other volunteers, Habitat families and community partners. Habitat also requires partner families to take classes on budgeting, home maintenance and life management skills. Family sponsors are assigned to each family to mentor them through the process of building and first-time home ownership. How are families selected?
Families are selected once or twice a year through an application process. Family Selection Committee members review applications, interview families and make home visits to determine need and qualifications, and then recommend families to the Habitat Board of Directors for approval. Selection is based on the number of homes available, the level of need for improved housing, the ability to make a monthly mortgage payment and the willingness to partner.
A volunteer Board of Directors makes policies for the affiliate in line with Habitat for Humanity International guidelines. The Board includes a wide range of people with many backgrounds and perspectives. In addition to the Board of Directors, much work is done by committees: Executive, Building, Family Selection, Family Support, Fundraising, and Public Relations.
Individuals, businesses, civic organizations, churches and foundations all contribute to Fremont Area Habitat for Humanity. Donations are tax-deductible. A group of regular donors called Groundbreakers pledge to donate a specific dollar amount of their choosing to as many homes per year as they wish. These funds along with mortgage payments from current homeowners provide the annual monies for building homes. In addition to cash contributions, many businesses provide materials and services at no or reduced costs which frees up cash funds to be used elsewhere.
Fremont Area Habitat for Humanity does not use any government funds to construct homes. In the past several years, the City of Fremont has provided Habitat with a number of building lots procured through government block grants. Habitat homes on these lots improve neighborhoods where there were previously uninhabited, dilapidated structures.
During our construction season (April through October), individuals can find out where we are building by calling our office at 402 721-8771. Groups who are interested in volunteering should make arrangements in advance for volunteering on specific days or for specific tasks. We generally work Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays during the building season, weather permitting.
Yes. Habitat needs volunteers to work on many tasks, including working on special events, mentoring families, fundraising, preparing mailings, and providing coffees and lunches at the construction site. Information about current volunteer opportunities is available by calling the office at 402 721-8771.