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About Habitat
Our Mission
Habitat’s mission is the elimination of poverty housing by building simple, decent houses for people in need, while contributing significantly to neighborhood revitalization.
Who We Are
Founded in 1986, Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the elimination of poverty housing through the creation of homeownership opportunities for low-income, working families.
What We Do
Habitat builds and rehabilitates homes in the New Haven area with the goal of creating safe, affordable houses that add to the revitalization of New Haven’s neighborhoods. Habitat accomplishes its mission by partnering with individuals, religious and civic organizations, local business and corporations.
Habitat of Humanity offers a hand up rather than a handout to families who qualify for the homebuyers program. Approved Habitat families work side-by-side with volunteers from the community to build their house. They invest a minimum of 400 “sweat equity” hours. Homes are purchased at below market cost from Habitat via a 0% interest, 25-year mortgage.
Where We Build
We currently build in the Newhallville and Hill neighborhoods of New Haven. We recently merged with Habitat for Humanity of Wallingford and will begin building two new homes in Wallingford this year.
Why We Help
In New Haven, a worker earning the minimum wage ($7.10 per hour) must work 106 hours per week in order to afford a two-bedroom unit at the area’s fair market rent of $907 a month. Affordable housing is considered to be about 30% of a family’s pre-tax income. Of the 33,153 renter households in the City of New Haven, 43.7% pay more than 50% of their income while an additional 25% spend between 30 and 50% of their income on housing. Even in New Haven’s poorest neighborhoods, rent for a two bedroom apartment starts at around $200 more than 50% of what a full-time minimum wage job provides.
A new Habitat homeowner could expect a monthly zero-interest mortgage and escrow payment of about $530.00.
How We Exist
Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven, like all affiliates of Habitat International, is an autonomous nonprofit organization that runs its own operation. The New Haven affiliate makes decisions locally, raises funds locally and builds locally with families in need from the New Haven area. Government funds are not used to build houses. 10% of the funds that Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven raises are tithed to Habitat International, which then is used to build Habitat homes in Botswana. Houses in the New Haven area are financed with whole-house or partial sponsorships, with in-kind donations of new construction materials, and through large and small donations from individuals like you.
Every year, more than 2,000 volunteers donate their time and talent to Habitat. Volunteers serve on committees, work in the office, and build Habitat houses. The need for affordable and safe housing is no less today than it was yesterday. We are here to respond to that need.
Affiliation with Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven is one of nearly 2,200 Habitat for Humanity affiliates in the United States. The parent organization, Habitat for Humanity International, is located in Georgia. Habitat was formed as an ecumenical Christian ministry and encourages people of all faiths to dedicate their words and actions to the elimination of poverty housing. Habitat for Humanity is the world’s largest non-profit homebuilder.
What to Know More?
Go to Frequently Asked Questions.
