About Us
Mission Statement
Habitat For Humanity in Whatcom County works in partnership with God and community to provide simple, decent housing for people in need by building or renovating houses--creating affordable homes so families can live and grow into all that God intended. We are but one of 2,100 affiliates around the world in 87 countries, an outgrowth of a grassroots movement begun in 1976. Following the vision, we strive to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action, by making squalor, unhealthy, substandard housing politically, socially and religiously unacceptable.
Habitat For Humanity in Whatcom County is a local, self-sustaining affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International -- a nonprofit, Christian organization that secures land and builds affordable houses for families of any faith that need a home. Families participate in the building and then purchase their new home with $500 down and a twenty-year, no interest mortgage. By the end of 2007 we will have built
26 homes and housed more than 120 people in Whatcom County and 36 more homes for people living in San Ramon, Costa Rica our sister affiliate.
In Whatcom County, volunteers for Habitat For Humanity provide most of the labor, while business and corporate donors provide money and materials. Partner families themselves invest 500 hours of labor--"sweat equity"--into building their homes and the homes of others. Their mortgage payments go into a revolving fund that is used to build more houses.
We can only be an expression of local community values; in our county we're fortunate to have hundreds of companies, churches and individuals who make Habitat For Humanity work. And as more people like you, hear about us and join the challenge, the more positive our impact can be!
We work with people who, despite diligence, need a helping hand to step out of poverty. If you live and work in Whatcom County and can't afford to buy a home, give us a call. Habitat for Humanity staff, board of directors, committee members, volunteers, and business partners work together to make homeownership possible for very low income families. If you're family needs simple, decent, healthy housing, we're taking applications and we look forward to hearing from you.
Something new is always happening. Check Volunteer Opportunities for in depth updates on Habitat For Humanity's work parties and locations, special events, and our latest information from the affiliate. This site is updated several times a month and, aside from calling us, is your best source of current information.
A local affiliate of Habitat For Humanity International, we are but one of 2,100 affiliates. Founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller, Habitat For Humanity became a household name when former President Jimmy Carter got involved in 1984. Our goal is to provide a loving hand to the working poor and to offer hope for friends unable to keep up or get ahead in the accelerated housing market in Whatcom County.
We build houses by acting as partners with churches, individuals, and local companies in an orchestrated attempt to create affordable housing for hardworking (yet struggling) neighbors. By donating land or whatever assets you may have to Habitat For Humanity, you can help play a vital role in strengthening and stabilizing our communities and bring hope to the many who have been edged out of Whatcom County's real estate market.