Fast Facts

Habitat for Humanity sells houses.

All of our partner families purchase their homes. All families must show a need (overpaying, over crowding, not able to qualify for a mortgage), ability to pay (families must have an income between 30-60% of the average median income for our service area), and willingness to partner (complete the sweat equity hours and attend homeowner education classes- Habitat 101, Budgeting, Maintenance, Mortgages, I’m a Homeowner Now What? and Safety). 

All Habitat homes are purchased with at no interest, no down payment, and mortgage based on what the family can afford, which is no more than 30% of the family’s income.

Habitat for Humanity builds both new homes and rehabs existing homes.

Over the past years, CMHFH has renovated houses and built houses on foreclosed lots.

Partner families take homeowner classes to teach them the importance aspects of homeownership, including budgeting for a mortgage and home repairs.

Our partner families come from many diverse backgrounds. About half are single moms or dads. About 35% are minorities. Just like our volunteers and staff, all families come from many different skills and education levels and very few of them had ever swung a hammer before coming to Habitat. Each adult member of our partner families completes 200 hours of sweat equity volunteering with either CMHFH or other organizations that serve their community.

Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity raises its own funds.

Each affiliate is responsible for developing its own resources locally. One way we do this is through ReStore.

Habitat needs volunteers of varying skill sets.

Our ministry is very complex. People, businesses, organizations, schools, churches, and other nonprofits can all volunteer with CMHFH. Check out all our volunteer opportunities to see all the different ways you can make a difference for a deserving family.

Habitat is a faith-based organization but doesn’t require homeowners to be Christian.

Habitat for Humanity was founded as, and unashamedly remains a Christian ministry. Homeowners are chosen without regard to creed, keeping with the requirements of the law and Habitat’s belief that God’s love extends to all regardless of race, creed, or nationality. We welcome volunteers from all faiths or no faith who want to join us in our mission.

Habitat for Humanity builds simple, decent houses.

Any newly built house is going to be a dramatic change for a family who has been living in poor housing conditions. Habitat’s philosophy is to build simple, decent houses that fit the family’s needs.

Habitat for Humanity was founded by Millard Fuller.

Habitat for Humanity International was started in Americus, Ga., in 1976 by Millard Fuller, along with his wife, Linda. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, are longtime Habitat supporters and volunteers who help bring national and international attention to the organization’s house-building work. They lead the annual Jimmy Carter Work Project to help build houses and raise awareness of the need for affordable housing. Since the first work project in 1984, nationally more than 1,000 houses have been built in conjunction with JCWP events.

Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity serves Benton, Sherburne, Stearns and Wright counties.

We are excited to serve all of Central Minnesota and have built or refurbished homes in several communities. We partner with key leaders in communities to help them coordinate the construction of a Habitat home.