habitat myths + facts

  • MYTH: HABITAT FOR HUMANITY GIVES HOUSES AWAY.

    FACT: Habitat for Humanity offers homeownership opportunities to families who are unable to obtain conventional home financing. Generally, this includes those whose income is 30 to 60 percent of the area’s median income.


    Additionally, they contribute 350 hours of “sweat equity” on the construction of their home. 


    Because Nashua Habitat homes are built with donations from our fundraising efforts, some material donations and volunteer labor, mortgage payments can be kept affordable.


    That means Habitat homeowners purchase their homes through affordable, no-profit mortgages. 



  • MYTH: HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HOMES REDUCE A NEIGHBORHOOD'S PROPERTY VALUES.

    FACT: Housing studies show affordable housing has no adverse effect on neighborhood property values. In fact, Habitat houses have proven to increase property values and property tax income.

  • MYTH: HABITAT HOMEOWNERS ARE ON WELFARE.

    FACT: While some Habitat homeowners receive Aid to Families with Dependent Children, most are working people. Typically, their annual income is less than half the median income in their community.

  • MYTH: YOU HAVE TO BE CHRISTIAN TO BECOME A HABITAT HOMEOWNER.

    FACT: Habitat homeowners are chosen without regard to race, religion or ethnic group, in keeping with U.S. law and with Habitat’s abiding belief that God’s love extends to everyone. Habitat also welcomes volunteers from all faiths, or no religion, who actively embrace Habitat’s goal of eliminating poverty housing from the world.

  • MYTH: HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INTERNATIONAL DICTATES POLICY AND PRACTICES FOR EVERY LOCAL HABITAT ORGANIZATION.

    FACT: Local Habitat affiliates are independent organizations that operate within a specific service area within the framework of the Habitat Affiliate Covenant. Affiliates set their own operating policies based on the needs of their local community.


    It is important to note that not all affliates operate a ReStore. Again, each is independently owned and operated.

  • MYTH: HABITAT FOR HUMANITY IS AN ARM OF THE GOVERNMENT.

    FACT: Habitat for Humanity is not an arm of the government. Habitat is an independent, nonprofit organization and Habitat affiliates are self funded, meaning they do all of their own fundraising. 

  • MYTH: HABITAT FOR HUMANITY WAS FOUNDED BY FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER.

    FACT: Habitat was started in 1976 in Americus, Georgia by the late Millard Fuller and his wife, Linda Fuller. President Carter and his wife Rosalynn (whose home is eight miles from Americus, in Plains, Georgia) have been longtime Habitat supporters and volunteers who help bring national attention to the organization’s house-building work. Each year, they lead the Jimmy Carter Work Project to help build houses and raise awareness of the need for affordable housing.

all are welcome

Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity has an open-door policy: all who believe that everyone deserves a decent, affordable place to live are welcome to be a part of the organization’s work regardless of race, religion, age, gender, politics or any other distinction that too often divides people. In short, we welcome volunteers, supporters and potential homeowners from all backgrounds.


As a matter of policy, Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliated organizations do not proselytize. Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity will not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must either adhere to or convert to a particular faith, or listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith view.