Habitat for Humanity of South Central Minnesota - Mankato Chapter

The South Central Minnesota Affiliate began forming in Mankato in the spring of 1989. By that fall a steering committee began working on the process of becoming an affiliate and five standing committees had been formed. We were granted the official affiliate status on July 1, 1990. St. Peter joined the affiliate in 1993. The Le Sueur Chapter was started in 1996. Today the Mankato chapter has completed 34 homes with 3 more under construction. St. Peter has built 13 homes with 1 currently under construction and Le Sueur has completed 5.

Like many affiliates around the country, we work primarily by committees. Currently there are 7 committees active in each chapter. Those committees are: Building Committee, Family Partner committee, Family Selection committee, Church Relations Committee, Volunteer Committee, Aluminum Can Recycling and Public Relations/Fund Raising committee. Volunteer opportunities are available with each of these committees.

How Habitat for Humanity Works

Habitat for Humanity works be­cause it creates opportunity, not dependency. Habitat has partnered with more than 200,000 families around the world, helping people to build and buy their own homes. First, partner families make an investment of “sweat equity,” helping to build their own Habitat home as well as Habitat homes of others. The families then purchase the homes at no-profit through zero-interest mortgages provided by local Habitat affiliates. Habitat families enjoy all the rights and responsibilities of any other homeowner. Through donations of materi­als and financial support, the cost of Habitat homes can be mini­mized, so the monthly payment for a Habitat home is manageable for a low-income family. In fact, Habitat mortgages are generally far lower than the cost of renting the substandard and unsafe houses, apartments and trailer homes that Habitat partner families so often leave behind. The resulting cash flow from families’ mortgage pay­ments is returned to the Fund for Humanity, a “revolving fund” to build more Habitat homes in their communities.

Myths & Truths About Habitat

Myth: Habitat gives homes away.

Truth: Houses are not given to anyone. Habitat builds homes for those in need and sells the houses to homeowner partners.  Because of Habitat's no-profit, non interest loans, and because houses are built principally by volunteers, mortgage payments are more affordable.  Mortgage payments are approximately $450-$550 a month.  This includes, mortgage, insurance and tax.  Partner families are also required to complete 300-500 "sweat equity" or volunteer hours on their home or other Habitat homes before they can move in.

Myth:  Habitat homeowners can sell their homes and make a large profit.

Truth: Habitat has special second mortgages in addition to the standard first mortgage.  The first mortgage is what it cost to build hte home.  This is what the homeowner pays back.,  The second mortgage is the difference between the selling price of the house and its appraised value.  Although this is a forgivable mortgage, it doesn't begin to decline until the 6th year of payments, and isn't totally forgiven until the partner family has been in the house 15 years.

Myth: Habitat is a government agency.

Truth: Habitat for Humanity is an ecumenical Christian ministry.  We don't receive government funding.  Each affiliate must raise it's own funds for building.

Myth: Habitat houses lower neighborhood property values.

Truth:  Many studies of low cost housing show that affordable housing has no adverse effect on other neighborhood property values.  In fact, Habitat for Humanity believes its approach to affordable housing can improve neighborhoods and community ties by strengthening community spirit, increasing the tax base; and building better citizens through the cooperative efforts involved in Habitat construction.

Myth:  You must be a Christian to become a Habitat homeowner.

Truth:  Habitat was founded as a Christian ministry.  However, homeowners are chosen without regard to creed.  We also welcome volunteers from all faiths - or no faith- who can actively embrace Habitat's goal of eliminating poverty housing from the world.