Greater New Haven Habitat for Humanity
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Habitat for Humanity?

Habitat for Humanity International is a non-profit organization whose mission is to eliminate poverty housing by building simple, decent, affordable houses for people in need, which helps revitalize neighborhoods. Habitat was founded on Christian principles, but we welcome partners from any faith–or from no faith–who are willing to pick up a hammer to help improve the lives of families needing decent shelter.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven, Inc. works in partnership with individuals, foundations, corporations, small businesses, congregations, schools, civic groups and more than 2,000 volunteers annually to accomplish this mission.

How long has Habitat for Humanity been in New Haven?

The New Haven affiliate was founded in 1986.

Where are most of your homes located?

We serve all of New Haven County and the towns of Killingworth and Clinton. In 2004 we assumed control of the Wallingford Habitat for Humanity and built two homes there in 2006. We are currently building our second home in Hamden.

We work primarily in two New Haven neighborhoods — the Hill and Newhallville. These remain a focus for development work, along with scattered site projects throughout the Greater New Haven area. Habitat’s goal is not only to create individual homeowners, but also to contribute significantly to neighborhood revitalization. By concentrating efforts on neighboring blocks, Habitat has had a dramatic impact on the character of the neighborhoods in which it works.

How does the process work?

Through volunteer labor and tax-deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat builds or rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner (partner) families. Homeowners are required to contribute 400 hours of “sweat equity” toward building their own and their neighbors’ Habitat houses. Houses are purchased from Habitat at or below cost via a 0% percent interest, 25-year mortgage, creating affordable homeowner mortgage payments.

How are partner families selected?

Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven serves families who earn 30-60 percent of area median income and who would have no other way to own a home of their own. In addition, Habitat is the only non-profit housing developer who takes into account a family’s current living situation when selecting families for its program. Habitat seeks to lift families out of substandard, overly expensive or overcrowded conditions.

The family selection committee considers applicants’ level of need, their willingness to become partners in the Habitat program and their ability to repay the no-interest loan. A non-discriminatory policy of family selection is followed. Neither race, family composition, nor religion is a factor in choosing Habitat homeowner families.

Visit the Homeownership section of the website for eligibility requirements for our program.

What does a Habitat house cost?

Currently, a three-bedroom Habitat house in New Haven costs us $120,000 to construct. We sell our homes to qualified homebuyers for an average of $85,000 to $90,000. Habitat houses are affordable for low-income families because there is no profit included in the sale price and no interest charged on the mortgage. The family pays closing costs of approximately $2,500. The average length of a Habitat mortgage is 25 years.

What is the average cost of housing in New Haven?

An average three-bedroom house costs $120,000. A three-bedroom apartment rental averages $950 in New Haven.

The average monthly mortgage, taxes and insurance for a three-bedroom Habitat home is less than $700.

Does Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven use government funds?

Government funds are not used for building Habitat homes. Government funds are occasionally used to acquire property. These funds comprise less than 10 percent of Habitat’s annual operating budget, with the remainder coming from local donors.

Who funds Habitat?

The largest portion of our funding comes from individuals who believe that access to affordable homeownership opportunities should be a matter of conscience. Other funds come from local businesses, faith groups, corporations, foundations and civic organizations.

How does Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven differ from Habitat for Humanity International?

Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven is one of more than 1,700 active affiliates located in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. There are more than 550 international affiliates in 90 other countries around the world. Every Habitat affiliate is independently incorporated and locally governed and is affiliated with Habitat for Humanity International.