Sedalia Area Habitat for Humanity is not welfare, charity or a “give away” program. Land is donated or purchased by Habitat for home sites. Building materials, equipment, labor and services are donated or purchased. Additional funding comes from individuals, churchs, corporations, foundations and other organizations which are concerned for people in need.
Families who are selected participate in the actual constructions: this is their “sweat equity”. Upon completions, the house is sold to the family at cost through a no-interest, no-profit twenty-year mortgage. Mortgage payments are then put into a general operating fund and recycled to build new houses. New homeowners are also encouraged to contribute what they can in addition to their monthly house payment so they, too, can help others have decent housing.
What are Habitat houses like?
Simple, decent and affordable
Habitat for Humanity builds houses around the world according to the same guiding principles:
- Simple
Habitat houses are modestly sized. They are large enough for the homeowner family’s needs, but small enough to keep construction and maintenance costs to a minimum. - Decent
Habitat for Humanity uses quality, locally available building materials. Habitat home designs reflect the local climate and culture. - Affordable
The labor of volunteers and partner families, efficient building methods, modest house sizes and no-profit loans make it affordable for low-income families to purchase Habitat houses.
Habitat houses
Habitat houses are typically built using wood frame construction, Gypsum board interior walls, vinyl siding and asphalt shingle roofs. Some affiliates also use proven alternative building materials such as adobe or straw bale construction.
Habitat houses are modestly sized by North American standards. Habitat’s guidelines dictate that a three-bedroom Habitat house may have no more than 1,050 square feet of living space.
Habitat for Humanity’s commitment to build with people in need readily extends to those with disabilities. When possible, Habitat houses incorporate basic accessible design features, such as a zero-step entrance and wide passage doors and hallways. Houses built in partnership with families with disabilities include additional accessibility features.