Wendy McDonald is an inspiration for all of us who wished we could help also. She makes us proud to be an American!!!! GOD BLESS AMERICA , AND ALL THE HARD WORKING PEOPLE GIONG THE EXTRA MILE!!!!!!!!!

Habitat for Humanity International is a great organization, and completely worthy of the donations that it receives. Please be aware, though, that contributions made to at national level fund projects at the "national" level. Such funds are NOT shared with the hundreds of "local" HFH chapters. When giving, please don't forget the projects that are helping those in your own community.

Wow...there is a real misunderstanding of what Habitat does. It doesn't build houses for people on their lots. It builds houses for people in need based on a criteria set by the national organization. Then, locally the Habitat board determines who qualifies for the homes. There is sweat equity required on all Habitat homes...plain and simple.

All these people questioning the land selection need simply to read what Habitat does and how it does it. It does great work.

Go to www.habitat.org to find out more. I only wish I knew more about it to explain it fully. The website explains it much better than I can do.

Habitat for humanity is a awsom way to get people back into there houses.I have read some comments here and i would like to see americans be americans we should have pride in our country,americans would do what they could do to help habitat do there job for these people.If every one in america would donate $1.00 habitate would not have any problems buying the land they need.I would like to see every one blaming our government for every thing that happends remember we are americans not winers.The people in america that i know always workshard never asked for hand outs and always help a neighbor when they are in need. Habitat is one of those American nonprofit that make me proud to be an American.
God Bless America our troops and our president.

Having just helped in their endeavors in Dallas, this is truly a plan of great magnitude, and surpassing accomplishment. Cheers to you HforH! I have sectioned off another few weekends here in Dallas and will be bringing my people over to help some more in the next few months. For those of you not familiar with the organization, they simply have a very successful process that gets families in homes that would not otherwise have the opportunity to own their own home. Having seen the results first hand, this ordanization is not only successful, but continues to challenge itself in an attempt to meet the housing needs of families. If you're trying to find a way to help them, they often leave weekend slots open on their sites for volunteer assistance in building their homes, and have local representatives all over the place. My group planned the volunteer time only a month beforehand and probably could have done the same in aslittle as two or three days. Regardless, cheers to HforH, this is a great thing you're doing!

But, again, what morgage???? If a person owns his/her own property and Habitat builds on top of that property (and its a charity) where does the morgage(besides the original one) come into play??
Maybe I need to have this explained to me like a 5yr old, but do they pay for the house being built??
Everyone I ask doesn't know the answer. Maybe someone will enlighten me.

To Wilmington NC poster,
Habitat is not racially biased. I worked on building about 10 habitat homes in Wilmington. Not one of them was for a white family.

I am amazed at the diversity of opinions listed here. I don't know what the glitches with Habitat are, re: not qualifying, etc. But I have seen myself the wonderful work that Habitat does. This year alone in my hometown, I cooked a dinner that served 500 to benefit Habitat...we raised a respectively small, but good sum to support the cause, wherever it needs to be applied, anywhere in the UNITED States. I personally know two families who are beneficiaries of Habitat homes right here in my hometown, one a good friend and one is a family member. The work that Habitat does, in philosophy alone, is phenomenal. My own personal philosophy is: DO WHAT YOU CAN WITH WHAT YOU HAVE WHERE YOU ARE!!! I am blown away by the resilient spirit of the human family to come together whenever necessary to bring about order in the midst of chaos, without any expectation of recompense....I am honored to do my small part with Habitat...for Humanity.

To Hugh in VA:

I have worked with HfH for over 12 years and been on various building and other committees, in addition to volunteering over 300 hours per year.

First, HfH does not build on your land/plot. They are not a contractor for hire. They do build houses on lots that they usually pay for (sometimes a city donates). Much, but not all, of the labor is donated. Some material is often donated as well. The rest is paid for in cash by HfH through money donated by local charitable contributions (Churches, businesses, individuals, etc). When the house is done, the actual out-of-pocket costs are well below what it would cost for a regular contractor. Perhaps $60K - 80K actual costs for a house that right away may be worth $90k - $120K (depends on location around the country, of course).

HfH "sells" these houses to qualified/select families. It is not a handout, its a real mortgage - though owned by HfH not a bank. The mortgage may be for more than the out of pocket costs of building, let's say for 80% of the market value of the house. Note that this is a 0% interest mortgage. That's a huge difference and makes the houses a good deal for the owners, often less than they would pay in rent.

The "profit" of motgaging the HfH house for more than the out of pocket costs of building just goes right back into building the next house for the next family.

I highly recommend the organization, they can use volunteers of all skill levels during construction. They also need volunteers that can help families with financial advice (many for the first time gather wequity in a home) and other support services after they move in.

Check out their website (habitat.org) for more info.

Ok, I'm really sorry people lost their homes to the hurricanes. I live in a hurricane area myself. People have to have the proper insurance coverage and be prepared for what may happen. Insurance companies need to do their part in paying out leggitimate claims. I have worked all my life beginning slinging burgers retail. Etc. I realized I had to get some training to do better. I want to support myself and I don't want the govt. to give me a handout. To all the hardworking people paying taxes and doing the right thing... I applaud you ... To all the lazy people waiting on the govt check handouts, wanting everything for nothing ,.you are a disgrace and it is you people that make us responsible people so hardened. I have to work for a living to take care of my family and so should you. The real bad thing it teaches your children how to stay in this poverty lazy cycle.
To all people who try and are the misfortunate I salute you for your efforts and I am willing to help anytime. People don't mind paying taxes and helping if you are truely needy....
Please go out and get a job it will make you feel much better about yourself...Go to social services and sit in there One hour and see if you see what I see... One comment from a lady with 3 children ,I don't know why I have to come in here every month to keep my check... Listen lady I have to show up at work everyday and work.. You should too...
Sorry thank you for letting me vent!!!!!!

I, too, am amazed at the breadth this topic has taken on. Very cool how the interest is growing.

First - if you donate to Habitat International, 10% of the funds will go to H.I. The rest will go to whatever you designate. And if you don't designate (such as Hancock County, or Katrina Relief), it will all go to H.I.

Second - if you volunteer through H.I., it is unknown when you will be called on to assist. There is rebuilding going on right now that local affiliates need volunteers for, but aren't allowed access to through H.I. So please go through the Gulf Region directly if you wish to volunteer NOW.

Third - they are running into difficulties due to rules that have no bearing on this particular catastrophe. They aren't into rebuilding communities - they are into helping individuals - so their rules just don't always fit, and they're trying to make them fit. So the growing pains and learning curve are both huge.

I am hoping they will allow some of these homes to be built on existing currently owned tracts of land - for selling, rebuying, clearing, trying to drill new wells, etc. is a waste of resources.

I know they aren't going to build on what is NOW considered flood plain, even if the gov't hasn't caught up to that idea. So people who would normally qualify, won't.

Fifth - since the land isn't the only part of any mortgage, the mortgage would include the building materials - which is still a hefty sum. I believe it's at least $35/sq foot.

The mortgage is interest free - which is why donations are necessary to keep the program working - the system pays itself back, but not when the cost of materials and shipment keep increasing. All it does is make a house more affordable for someone who just can't quite do the "bank thing".

And like so many have said - go too www.habitat.org for more information. AND, if you want to volunteer, go to www.habitat.org/local to find the affiliate closest to you.

If you want to volunteer now - please contact me. I might be able to find a team for you to join up with.

Leslie

HFH is a wonderful group getting important things done. One idea for consideration would be for HFH to use Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) which are super energy efficient, 4xs as strong as stickframe construction and can be erected in days not weeks. There are standard home "packages" which can be purchased and perhaps placed on existing foundations of privately owned homesites. One doesn't necessarily need to start from scratch. Just an idea.

We are a building company in Kentucky and are currently building a home in cooperation with our trade partners and supplyers to donate all profits to Habbitat in the affected area. Many people in this area want to help but are strapped finacially but are able to donate time to this project and some supplyers have donated or passed along materials at cost all in an effort to reduce cost and increase the profit and donation. You may contact us at martincustombuilding.com

THANK YOU HABITAT FOR HUMANITY. THOUGH I AM NOT A RECIPIENT OF YOUR GOD FILLED WORK, I THANK YOU JUST THE SAME FOR REACHING OUT TO THE NEEDS OF THE MANY AND TOUCHING THEM WHERE THEY NEEDED AN EMBRACE FROM A BROTHER OR A SISTER !!! GOD BLESS YOU ALL !!!

To Vic,
Thanks for the lesson and sorry to sound repetative, but why doesn't HFH build on THESE peoples land. If they have to purchase the land from someone before they can build, why not cut out the middle man and build right on exsisting property??? To me, i'd think they would save a boat load of money and do people the greatest of favors if they didn't have to buy property elsewhere. Does that make sense???? I know they aren't contractors, but if they build on an empty lot that someone owns as opposed to buying the land from someone else and THEN putting in utilities and foundation, seems that HFH is spending more money than is nessesary and those moneys can be focused elsewhere....

RE: Peggy, Fernley, Nevada "Can Habitat build on existing properties of homes that were lost during Katrina"

RE: Pauline Lalla, New Orleans "Will Habitat build a home on our lot in Bayside park? We lost our home in New Orleans"

RE: Hugh W. Sterling VA "If the material and labor is donated, then why is there a morgage. Doesn't Habitat build on the property already owned by the people there????? In Long Beach along there was hundreds and hundreds, if not thousands of empty lots where there was nothing but concrete slabs. I wouldn't think that acquiring land was too much an issue if the people still owned it. Am I mistaken in thinking that they are looking to buy more land in an attempt to build or is it another oppurtunity to have waste and abuse at the expense of the local people and the tax payers.

AND

But, again, what morgage???? If a person owns his/her own property and Habitat builds on top of that property (and its a charity) where does the morgage(besides the original one) come into play??
Maybe I need to have this explained to me like a 5yr old, but do they pay for the house being built??
Everyone I ask doesn't know the answer. Maybe someone will enlighten me. Hugh W. Sterling VA

(1) Habitat does not build a house on land that someone else already owns. Typically the Habitat homes are in a special type of mortgage-trust arrangement with the qualified buyer. If someone has vacant property AND there is NO prior mortgage on the property AND the person qualifies for the program (income restrictions and ability to pay the mortgage) AND can accept the size limitations on what they will build (small), there might be a remote possibility that they would work with the person IF (a) they signed the land over free and clear to group building the house, (b) and then the house was built and (c)the person signed the mortgage/trust agreement and deed with restrictions. (Of course, owning the land could disqualify someone on income/asset tests.) Whole lot of "Ifs" and "Maybes." I wouldn't give it beter than a 1 in 20 as a possibility.

(2) Most projects of the type that Habitat and similar organizations do have severe restrictions on any resale of the home by the one who buys the home from the sponsoring group. The purchaser is often restricted from selling it on the open market and must sell it to another low income individual who would qualify for the housing assistance offered by that program and at a price below market, which is typically set at the intial purchase price plus 1-3%. (This keeps the house built by the group, whose goal is to provide low-income housing, available for low-income buyers. No making a killing on the price increases in the market and pricing the house out of the reach of future low income buyers.) Whether Habitat will use such restrictions in a project is unknown.

(3) Hugh - mortgages run with the land. One doesn't just mortgage the house, but the land and anything on it.

(4) Any restrictions upon the resale of the property HAVE to be in the deed. The buyer of the house has to accept the deed with the restrictions(see above.) That is why the deed to the land has to come from the group sponsoring the house building. It can not be 'owned' by someone else and then the house is built by the charitable group/low income housing group. Whether such restriciotn will be placed upon a project of this size is unknown at this time. typically Habitat hasn't done so on single hoe projects. This, is however, a much larger undertaking in a market with a severe housing shortage which would entice the Habitat nuyer to then sell to make a considerable profit.

(5) Hugh - they are not going to build a house on land that someone owns that is already mortgaged. Can't do it and control the mortgage and property resale restrictions which have to be in the DEED, not the mortgage. Not going to happpen. No building a Habitat house on land where some bank or other already has a mortgage. End of discussion.

(6) Not all materials are donated - they have to buy quite a lot of materials and even with a discount, that adds up.

(7) The "taxpayers" have nothing to do with it. The money for Habitat is raised through charitable donations.

(8) All those vacant slabs? Even if the owners wanted to sell to Habitat, there is a slight problem with those lots. THEY FLOODED! Habitat is quite sensibly planning on NOT building in flood zones. Why spend all that time, all that donated work, and use up their scare and precious donated money to just have the place flood in the future? They just don't build in flood zones. PERIOD. Those lots with slabs flooded, hence, they are not suitable as they flooded.

(8) Habitat's income restrictions closely track the one's used by HUD for qualifying low income buyers. What HUD deems to be low-income varies from county to county and depends upon the median income in that specific area. Habitat usually limits its applicants to those whose income to NOT more than 50% of the median household income in a county. The median household income for 2 people in Biloxi would be about $30,000 and 1/2 that is $15,000; for 4 people is would be about $37,000 with 1/2 that being $18,500. (See HUD and Census data for median incomes.)

It is not clear from the article if Habitat intends to waive its income restrictions in Mississippi. It would be highly doubtful that they would contemplate doing such a thing since their income restriction guidelines are probably contained in their charter and other internal rules not easily modified.

What will it take to qualify? Most likey this:

(a) have an income of less than 50% of the median household income in the area if Habitat follows their ususal income rules (ex: less than $20 - 25,000 a year)

(b) not have the assets to pay for a house (meaning, that someone with a Social Security income of $16,000 a year but having $300,000 in the bank won't qualify.)

(c) have a job that will pay the mortgage (20-30%) of income), taxes and insurance without taking a total of more than 30-40% of income to do it.

(d) the land be owned by Habitat - whether they prchase it or whether it is given to them free and clear. Rule 1 is never build something on land you don't own. They start the house on land owned by someone else, the house is partly done, the owener backs out of the deal, Habitat is out and can only go after the landowner for the actaully cash spent.

(e) the land not be in a flood zone.

I am interested in getting a Habitat home. Right now I'm working hard to pay for a mortgage. Most of my mortgage payment goes to interest. With an interest-free below-cost home, I could swap my nice-paying but boring job for something enjoyable or part-time, or have an extra child I couldn’t otherwise afford. Aren't children a biological right that society—not me—should provide for? Seriously, I just want a house built with donated materials & labor so I can sell it for a tidy profit as soon as Habitat's rules allow; after all, that would be financially prudent and wouldn't the Habitat folks want me to be that? I don't see where I can sign up for a house on Habitat's website. I'm not down on my luck now. But I'm willing to temporarily become down on my luck and even shed fake tears to get subsidized shelter. I wonder how many of Habitat's "homeless" were too.

I forgot the other requirement for a Haitat house and mortgage - substantially good credit.

It is harder to qualify than most people realize with the maximum income restrictions based upon household size, employment history, minimum income level for the payments and the credit record.

I think the Habitat program is great and the main thing is that they are at least helping people to get their lives back together. I went with 5 other guys to Pascagoula, MS for a week at the end of October. We helped 3 families by re-drywalling there houses. The families were really grateful and I think we got more out of it than we gave. Two members of the families worked with us while we were there and have taught other people how to install drywall. So another good thing to come out of our visit was that people have learned a skill and can help themselves.
The week that I spent in Pascagoula, helping the victims of Katrina & Rita, was really a life changing experience.

Thanks A. Carr for consolidating all the questions and answers. For those of you interested in volunteering in Hancock County (Bay St. Louis, Waveland, Diamondhead, & Kiln, MS) please note that Habitat Metro Jackson is the affiliate responsible for construction projects in Hancock County. http://www.habitat.org/script/link.asp?url=www%2Ehabitatjackson%2Eorg

this dicusion is going farther than i thought it could....there are many good points made...pro and con...i hear ya all........undesided at this time

Thank You so much A. Carr for the very informative list of qualifications needed to build a HFH house. I hadn't realized all the red tape and bs even an organization like HFH has to put up with just to perform a little charitable or humanitarian act. I guess that when you deal with morgage companies, contracts and the like, trying to get people minimum shelter is not going to get in the way of them making a dollar. I understand that they can not build on existing property with a morgage, but we are looking at a extrodinary event occuring over a large area. I think that somethings can be sacrificed, rules can be bent or broken to make the process move faster. Rebuild cities and towns ASAP, rebuild businesses ASAP - then the economy of the area can come back and stablize. So many shops, gas station, little mom/pop stores, retail stores all the places people worked are gone. For much of this to all come back, some suspension of rules are going to have to happen...
A.Carr, I do understand now, but still not happy with the system. Thanks.

David, Wilmington, NC

This form is not about you, this about people who lost their home and lives. Why do you want the world to know you pay taxes, I pay taxes to and I’m willing to help the people in New Orleans and gulf of Mississippi? I hope you teach your children to care for others. And not like you, cold heart republican, if you not republican you sure sound like one.

Sam that a shame, you are so jealous, of others, and the persons you should be mad at is your government. The reason why you in the shape you is in, is because of your president bush. Get angry at your government, and the high taxes he is making you pay. And taking care of illegal immigrates, that will have a better life than you.

I was reading a magazine today and came across an article about an organization called Operation Home, I think they are located in South Carolina. They receive donations from companies and individuals and they help people in need do repairs on their houses so they can continue to live in them. Wouldn't this be something that could be put to use in our area?