FAQ
| Q: | How does Habitat work?
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| A: | Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds simple, decent, affordable homes in partnership with Habitat homeowner (partner) families and volunteers. Habitat homes are sold to partner families at no profit, financed with affordable, zero-interest loans. The homeowner is responsible for the monthly mortgage payment. The revenue received from the mortgage payments is used to support Habitat’s programs.
Habitat is not a giveaway program. In addition to a down payment and the monthly mortgage payments, homeowners are required to invest hundreds of hours (500 hour requirement) of their own labor – “sweat equity” -- into building their Habitat home and the homes of others.
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| Q: | How many homes does Habitat build? |
| A: | Habitat for Humanity South Palm Beach County was founded in May 1991 and has completed 79 homes as of September 30, 2009. During the July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008 fiscal year, Habitat for Humanity South Palm Beach County started construction on seven homes and completed four. During the next fiscal year, 7 homes were completed. During 2009-2010 we plan to build ten! |
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| Q: | Do I have to know anything about construction to volunteer?
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| A: | No. Previous construction experience or knowledge is not necessary. Habitat staff and skilled volunteers will teach you the skills you need and will provide expert supervision. If you are not comfortable with a task, you can simply ask to do something else.
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| Q: | What is the age requirement to volunteer?
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| A: | Volunteer Age Restrictions:
Volunteers under the age of 16 should never be on site while construction is going on, but 14 & 15 year olds are permitted to work on landscaping days, fencing days, and in- and outside painting days (as long as no construction or work with power tools is going on).
16 & 17 year olds:
· Permitted to do general construction and general carpentry.
· Volunteers under the age of 18 cannot do excavation, demolition, roofing, use power tools or work at heights above six feet.
Anyone that is 18 or older is permitted to do any of the various construction-related jobs on the site.
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| Q: | What do I need to bring to the construction site?
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| A: | Habitat will provide all of the equipment / tools on the jobsite, but you are certainly welcome to bring your own (especially if you have a favorite paint brush, hammer, carpentry pencil, tape measure, tool belt or utility knife, etc.; but make sure your name is on each). Water and Safety goggles are provided on site. We do not usually have gloves on site, so if you require them, please bring your own. You may also want to bring snacks for the morning. For outdoor work, bring Hat, Gloves and Suntan Lotion. Please wear comfortable work clothes with protective footwear (NO SANDALS OR FLIP FLOPS)
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| Q: | Is lunch provided to volunteers?
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| A: | Habitat does not provide lunch on site. Please pack a lunch, or make arrangements for your lunch to be brought to the site. Construction usually concludes by 12:30 PM. Groups are more than welcome to provide lunch for themselves or the site.
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| Q: | What time do I need to arrive at the jobsite?
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| A: | Please arrive at least 5 minutes before the start of your shift in order to sign-in and get the instructions which are given at the beginning of the shift.
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| Q: | What should I wear?
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| A: | Whether painting, landscaping, or roofing, your clothes and shoes WILL get dirty, so please wear old clothes as they may not come clean. No open-toed shoes are allowed on the jobsite. Tennis shoes are a great choice. You may also want to bring a hat or visor since the sun can be quite bright. Please wear sunscreen!
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| Q: | Can I do my community service hours with Habitat (court or school assigned)?
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| A: | We have many people who complete their community service hours with us, whether court ordered or for school. Please make sure you bring your form and have the supervisor on site sign it at the end of the day. If volunteering on the construction site does not fit your schedule, you can always get community service hours at the Habitat ReStore.
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| Q: | Can I bring a group of friends or co-workers out to the jobsite?
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| A: | We would love for you to bring a group, but if you want to bring more than 5 people, you must sign up as a group, which involves scheduling your workday in advance. Please click here for more information on scheduling a group of volunteers.
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| Q: | Who is responsible if someone gets hurt while working at Habitat?
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| A: | Each Habitat volunteer must sign a Release and Waiver of Liability form and fax it, mail it or bring it to the jobsite on their first volunteer date. We keep them on file, so it only has to be filled-out once a year. Your and your group’s personal health insurance plan should cover the individual while engaged in volunteer work; however, each volunteer should verify that he or she has this type of coverage prior to signing the Release Form.
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| Q: | Will my car be safe while I am busy volunteering?
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| A: | When there are a small number of people volunteering, everyone can park at the jobsite while they are working. When large groups come out, we try to have designated parking attendants who direct you to the volunteer parking location. You are responsible for your vehicle or personal belongings. Please take the precaution of putting all valuables out of eyesight (the trunk is a great spot).
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| Q: | Is there an orientation for first time volunteers?
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| A: | No. Once you are on the jobsite, we will give you directions for your tasks.
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| Q: | How do I volunteer to work on a home?
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| A: | Individuals are welcome to show-up on a Habitat for Humanity work day, preferably for an entire shift. The website’s volunteer schedule will tell you which house. If you have a group of interested volunteers, please contact our office so that we may schedule accordingly. Information and directions can be found on our website within the “Want to Volunteer” section.
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| Q: | How many volunteers are on a work site at a time?
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| A: | In general we only need 20-25 volunteers on the work site at a time.
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| Q: | When do you build Habitat homes?
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| A: | Normal construction hours observed by Habitat for Humanity South Palm Beach County:
Thursdays and Fridays: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon (A-Team Volunteers)
Saturdays: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sundays: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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| Q: | How do I qualify for a Habitat home?
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| A: | Please see the information contained within the Qualifications section of the website.
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| Q: | How can I apply for a Habitat home?
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| A: | Please see the information contained within the Application Process section of the website.
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| Q: | How does a Habitat mortgage work?
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| A: | After Habitat helps build the home, the organization takes on the role of “lender” for the zero-interest mortgage. The revenue received from the homeowner’s monthly mortgage payments is used to support Habitat’s programs.
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| Q: | Can I qualify for a Habitat home if I am handicapped?
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| A: | Yes. Habitat will work out a special arrangement by which you can satisfy Habitat’s “sweat equity” requirements through limited construction duties, work at the Habitat Re-Store, or by working in the office. In addition, modifications will be made during the construction of your home in order to make it accessible.
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| Q: | Do I have to participate in the construction of the home to get a Habitat home?
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| A: | Yes, that is a key part of the Habitat program, which we call “sweat equity.” Homeowners work alongside Habitat staff and volunteers in the construction of their own homes and those of their neighbors. Homeowners must satisfy the requirement of 500 hours of “sweat equity.”
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| Q: | Can I start my required “sweat equity” hours whenever I want?
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| A: | No. A Habitat homeowner can only begin their sweat equity hours once accepted into the Habitat program. However, you can volunteer with Habitat before completing the home application process to get a feel for the program.
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| Q: | Do you have to be a Christian to become a Habitat homeowner?
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| A: | Habitat for Humanity was founded as, and still is, a nondenominational, Christian housing ministry. However, Habitat homeowners are selected into the program without regard to creed, both in keeping with the requirements of the law and Habitat’s belief that God’s love extends to all regardless of racial, religious or gender lines.
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| Q: | Do you have to have a job to become a Habitat homeowner?
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| A: | Yes. Habitat requires that you earn enough money to use no more than 25% of your income to pay the monthly mortgage payments. While some Habitat homeowners may receive public assistance, the overwhelming majority of Habitat homeowners have a consistent employment history and continue to be employed. Habitat for Humanity works in good faith with people who are at risk financially, knowing that owning a home is not the answer to every problem, but can be an important step – often the first step – toward breaking out of the cycle of poverty.
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| Q: | Do you have to be a U.S. citizen to become a Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach County homeowner? |
| A: | Yes. You must be either a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident to qualify for a Habitat home. In addition, you must be a Boca Raton, Delray Beach or Boynton Beach resident for at least one year. |
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| Q: | Does Habitat for Humanity give houses away to poor people? |
| A: | Habitat for Humanity offers a homeownership opportunity to families unable to obtain conventional house financing—generally, those whose income is 30 to 60 percent of the area's median income. In most cases, Habitat homeowner families make a $1,500 down payment ($750 due before ground-breaking and $750 due at closing) and contribute 500 hours of "sweat equity" on the construction of their home or someone else's home. Because Habitat houses are built using donations of land, material and labor, mortgage payments are kept affordable. |
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| Q: | Do Habitat houses reduce property values in a neighborhood?
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| A: | Low-cost housing studies in the United States and Canada show affordable housing has no adverse effect on other neighborhood property values. In fact, Habitat houses have increased property values and local government tax income.
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| Q: | Does Habitat for Humanity International dictate policy and practices for every local Habitat organization?
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| A: | Habitat operates through locally governed affiliates with a strong emphasis on grassroots organizations and local autonomy. Habitat affiliates are independent, nonprofit organizations that operate within specific service areas in a covenant relationship with Habitat for Humanity International.
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| Q: | Are Habitat homeowners on welfare? |
| A: | While some Habitat homeowners receive Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), many more are working people. Typically their annual income is less than half the local median income in their community.
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| Q: | Was Habitat for Humanity founded by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter?
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| A: | Habitat was started in 1976 in Americus, Ga., by Millard Fuller along with his wife Linda. President Carter and his wife Rosalynn (whose home is eight miles from Americus, in Plains, Ga.), have been longtime Habitat supporters and volunteers who help bring national attention to the organization's house-building work. Each year, they lead the Jimmy Carter Work Project to help build houses and raise awareness of the need for affordable housing.
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