Mission Statement:

Rock County Habitat for Humanity provides responsible families in need the life changing opportunity to purchase their own home by partnering with people from all backgrounds to build decent affordable houses and communities in which people can live and grow into all that God intends.

History:

• Habitat for Humanity International is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that seeks to eliminate substandard housing worldwide.  Habitat for Humanity International was started in Americus, Georgia, during 1976 by Linda and Millard Fuller.
   
• Rock County Habitat for Humanity is one of over 2,200 affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International. Rock County Habitat, like all United States affiliates, tithes to HFHI to help build homes in 78 countries.
   
• Rock County Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1990.
   
• As of December 2007, Rock County Habitat had completed 40 houses.
   
• A typical Rock County Habitat home is approximately 1,000 square feet,. Houses typically have three bedrooms, one bathroom, a kitchen, a living room and a basement.
   
• Each adult family member of a partnering family completes 250 hours of ‘sweat equity,’ or volunteer labor, building Habitat homes or doing other Habitat-related work.
   

• Habitat's program gives families a "hand-up," not a "hand-out."  Habitat homes are sold for no profit on no-interest, 20-year mortgages to partner families who have completed their sweat equity hours.
   

• Habitat for Humanity’s selection of homeowners is based on three important criteria:
  • the family’s need for adequate shelter.
  • the family’s ability to repay a mortgage.
  • the family’s willingness to partner with Rock County Habitat for Humanity.
     
• The average Rock County Habitat house costs $65,000 or $65 per square foot to build.
   
• Rock County Habitat’s income is obtained through donations from individuals, churches, foundations, mortgage payments and the United Way of North Rock County.
   
• Funds are allocated and building is planned by the Board of Directors in accordance with the guidelines of Habitat for Humanity International.
   
• As of 2007, 35 local churches from Rock County have chosen to become Covenant Churches. Through this commitment, they are asked to provide support through prayer, volunteer labor, and financial help.