Habitat for Humanity, DeKalb County Georgia
 

Construction DeKalb Habitat (formally Habitat For Humanity - DeKalb, Inc.) is an official county affiliate of the well-known Habitat For Humanity International (HFHI) organization headquartered in Americus, GA. We also encourage and support the work of other affiliates including college and high school chapters in DeKalb County... as well as other state, national, and international affiliates.

History

  • Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit service organization founded on Christian principles.
  • HFHI's goal is to eliminate substandard housing from the face of the earth by building simple, decent, affordable housing.
  • Established in 1976 with corporate headquarters located in Americus, Georgia.
  • HFHI has built over 130,000 homes worldwide.
  • DeKalb Habitat (DeKalb County, GA affiliate of HFHI) was incorporated in 1988 at the urging and with support of then DeKalb County CEO Manuel Maloof.
  • DeKalb Habitat now has 36 homeowners.
  • DeKalb Habitat is funded through sponsorships and donations from churches, corporations, and individuals; and funds are used as designated by donors.
  • DeKalb Habitat tithes a house for a house to build homes in developing countries.
  • DeKalb Habitat now operates with an Executive Director and small staff supported by a volunteer Board of Directors and many volunteers.

Homes and Homeowners (Hand-Up NOT Hand-Out)

  • Homes are mortgaged at no-interest and no-profit (maximum term of 30 years).
  • Estimated mortgage payments are between $500 to $600 a month (including principle, taxes and insurance)
  • Mortgage payments are reinvested to help build homes for other families.
  • Homes are built over a fifteen-week period.

Qualifying for a Home

  • Must reside in DeKalb County for minimum of one year
  • Must have a need (examples of need: current housing is unsatisfactory because of unsanitary environment, crime and drug infested neighborhood, overcrowded situation, etc.)
  • Must be willing to perform at least 400 sweat equity hours by working on homes
  • Must have adequate income to be able to pay back the mortgage
  • DeKalb Habitat representatives must make in-home visits before approval
  • Must attend first time homebuyer homeowner education classes provided by Habitat

Sponsorship Requirements

  • Sponsor contributes to Habitat $100,000 for a three or four bedroom home
  • DeKalb Habitat is responsible for providing the land and approving the family
  • DeKalb Habitat encourages co-sponsorships involving two or more sponsoring organizations and/or individuals
  • Homes are built to quality standards by non-skilled volunteers who are supervised by one or more skilled and qualified construction contractors
  • In-kind donations are accepted and sponsors receive credit

Find out how you can use your life and talents to make a difference for someone in our county. Discover how to volunteer, sponsor, or donate. Help us to eliminate substandard housing in DeKalb County and provide simple, decent, affordable housing for our communities.

Management and Staff

Currently there are two staff members (Executive Director and Office Manager), a part-time accountant, a volunteer Land Developer and three other part-time volunteers  who run the daily activities of our affiliate. As activities and funding are growing, we plan to establish other administrative and construction positions according to budget and need.

Legal Description

For legal and tax purposes, Habitat for Humanity - DeKalb, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) Not for Profit Corporation registered with the State of Georgia as a charitable organization. Contact us if you have any questions or need any additional information for tax purposes.