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Agora Christian Fellowship and Services Clintonville Community Resource Center Habitat for Humanity
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Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity builds houses for people who otherwise could not afford to own their own homes. Columbus Mennonite Church is a member of the Clintonville/Beechwold/Timken Partnership of Habitat for Humanity. If you have questions or would like to become involved in helping to build the current house, please contact Rachel Gratz at 457-6148. Depending your skills and the current stage of construction, you can frame, install plumbing or wiring, hang drywall, paint, landscape, or do other fun stuff. More about Habitat for Humanity Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian organization dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness worldwide. Habitat believes that every man, woman and child should have a simple, decent, affordable place to live in dignity and safety. Habitat for Humanity tangibly expresses the love of God by eliminating poverty housing. Much of Habitat's mission and methods are derived from a few key theological concepts: the necessity of putting faith into action, the "economics of Jesus," and the "theology of the hammer."
Habitat's believes that to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ we must reflect Christ's love in our own lives by loving and caring for one another. Our love must not be just words; it must be true love, which shows itself in action. Habitat gives you an opportunity to put your faith and love into action, bringing diverse groups of people together to make affordable housing and better communities a reality for everyone. The Economics of Jesus When people act in response to human need, giving what they have without seeking profit or interest, God magnifies the small effects of our efforts to accomplish the gigantic. Habitat refers to this perspective as "the economics of Jesus." Together, the donated labor of construction volunteers, the support of partner organizations and homeowners' "sweat equity" work, and payments on the no-profit, no-interest mortgage make Habitat's house building possible. By sharing resources with those in need, Habitat volunteers have made decent, affordable housing a reality for some 85,000 families worldwide. The Theology of the Hammer Habitat is founded on common ground that bridges theological differences. Everyone can use the hammer as an instrument to manifest God's love. Habitat Founder and President Millard Fuller calls this concept "the theology of the hammer," explaining, "we may disagree on all sorts of other things . . . but we can agree on the idea of building homes with God's people in need, and in doing so using biblical economics: no profit and no interest." Habitat for Humanity welcomes all to build with us in partnership, without discrimination on the basis of race, religion or ethnic group. "The Bible teaches that God is the God of the whole crowd," explains Fuller. "God's love leaves nobody out, and my love should not either. This understanding drives 'the theology of the hammer' around the world, steadily building more and more houses in more and more countries." What is Habitat for Humanity International? Habitat for Humanity International seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat International has built more than 85,000 houses around the world, providing more than 425,000 people in more than 2,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter. Simple, Decent, Affordable Habitat houses are built according to the same guiding principles. Habitat houses are:
How Does It Work? Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner (partner) families. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit, financed with affordable, no-interest loans. The homeowners' monthly mortgage payments are used to build still more Habitat houses. Habitat is not a giveaway program. In addition to a down payment and the monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor -- sweat equity -- into building their Habitat house and the houses of others. What Does A Habitat House Cost? Throughout the world, the cost of houses varies from as little as $800 in some developing countries to an average of $37,600 in the United States. Habitat houses are affordable for low-income families because there is no profit included in the sale price and no interest charged on the mortgage. Mortgage length varies from seven to 30 years. How are Partner Families Selected? Families in need of decent shelter apply to local Habitat affiliates. The affiliate's family selection committee chooses homeowners based on their level of need, their willingness to become partners in the program and their ability to repay the no-interest loan. Every affiliate follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing the families who receive Habitat houses. Who controls and manages Habitat for Humanity? An ecumenical board of directors determines policy and oversees and guides the mission of Habitat for Humanity International. |
Putting Faith Into
Action