About Habitat for Humanity:

Habitat for Humanity is a faith-based housing organization that provides decent, affordable homeownership opportunities in partnership with those in need.

Habitat for Humanity provides the opportunity for home ownership to families who wouldn't, because of income level, qualify for a mortgage with a lending institution. Families with an income as low as $1,300 per month can become Habitat homesteaders. Habitat makes no profit on the homes it builds and provides a no-interest mortgage loan for homesteaders. The cost of each construction project is $60,000. Monthly mortgage payments are approximately $450 per month and include an amount that is held in escrow for real estate taxes and property insurance. The principal portion of homeowners' mortgage payments is recycled back into the fund to build more and more houses.

Habitat families work with other volunteers in the rehabilitating or building of their home - putting in 500 partnership hours as a "sweat equity" down payment. Having to invest this amount of time in the actual building of their house or other Habitat houses, families take ownership and pride in their homes and neighborhood. Habitat is a "hand up" not a "handout" program.

Most new constructions are 3 bedroom, 1 bath homes. They are approximately 1100 square feet. The exterior is vinyl siding and trim. Included in the price of the house:

- Some landscaping and fencing
- Concrete parking pad, walks and steps
- All interior flooring, cabinetry, lighting, plumbing fixtures and security systems.

The type of home Christ King will be building is the Habitat "Tamarack" model - floorplan of which is shown below:

Milwaukee Habitat has produced a 10-minute informational video that gives an excellent overview of the organization and its activities. Click here to watch the video.

You can learn more about Habitat for Humanity's national and international mission by visiting its website at http://www.habitat.org - or you learn more about local efforts at the Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity website located at http://www.milwaukeehabitat.org/.