What Is Habitat for Humanity?
How Does the Habitat "“No Profit, No Interest" Housing Work?
How Does the Partnership With Homeowners Work?
How Are Would-Be Partner Families Selected?
How are Donations Distributed and Used?
How special are Habitat’s volunteer programmes?
What is Jimmy Carter Work Project?
Who are the working partners of Habitat for Humanity China?
How can I help?

What Is Habitat for Humanity?

Habitat for Humanity International is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. Founded in 1976, HFHI seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.

Habitat works with people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need.

Today, Habitat for Humanity has built more than 300,000 houses, sheltering more than 1,500,000 people in more than 3,000 communities worldwide. Habitat is now one of the most recognized and reliable nonprofit organizations in the United States.

Habitat for Humanity China is a registered charity in Hong Kong, and our major programmes are implemented in mainland China. We also make alliances with Habitat offices all round the world, providing support to each other.

To learn more about Habitat for Humanity International, please check out the HFHI Asia Pacific website at: www.habitat.org/ap

How Does the Habitat's "No Profit, No Interest" Housing Work?

Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner (known as "partner" families).

Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit, financed with affordable, inflation-adjusted, no-interest mortgage loans. The homeowners' monthly mortgage payments go into a revolving fund and are used to build still more Habitat houses.

Habitat carries out its work through affiliates -- independent, locally-run, nonprofit organizations community level groups. Each affiliate coordinates all aspects of Habitat home building in its local area -- fund raising, building site selection, partner family selection and support, house construction and mortgage servicing. Some affiliates also receive funding loans and grants from Habitat For Humanity International.

Habitat is not a "giveaway" program. In addition to a down payment and the monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor -- sweat equity -- into building their Habitat house and the houses of others.

How Does the Partnership With Homeowners Work?

Habitat is not a "giveaway" program, but a partnership in which those who benefit help others in need. Each homeowner family is required to invest hundreds of hours of "sweat equity" into the construction of their home or the Habitat program. This allows homeowners to work along side other volunteers, increasing the pride of ownership among family members and fostering the development of positive relationships within a community.

How Are Would-Be Partner Families Selected?

Families in need of decent shelter apply to a local Habitat affiliate. The affiliate’s family selection committee chooses homeowners based on their level of need, their ability to repay the loan and their willingness to work in partnership with Habitat.

Affiliates follow a non-discriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing the families to become Habitat homeowners.

How are Donations Distributed and Used?

Habitat For Humanity China accepts undesignated and designated donations in money, and in kind or gifts. Undesignated gifts are used where needed. Donations are distributed as designated by the donor.

Audited financial statements are available.

How special are Habitat’s volunteer programmes?

Habitat’s Global Village volunteer program consists of short-term house-building trips designed to give concerned people the opportunity to observe, experience and contribute to Habitat’s projects first hand. Working alongside skilled staff and homeowners, team members build a true “global village” of love and hope.

In the past ears, HFH China has already arranged many volunteer teams from schools and corporations to take part in the construction projects in different sites. Participants always find these trips meaningful and unforgettable.

Former US President and Nobel Prize Laureate Nobel Prize Laureate Jimmy Carter is one of the most famous Habitat volunteers. Please click here to know more.

To volunteer, contact us at Habitat for Humanity China here.

What is Jimmy Carter Work Project?

Former US President Jimmy Carter started his involvement with Habitat for Humanity International in 1984 when he led a work group to New York City to help renovate a six-storey buildings with 19 families in need of decent, affordable shelter. That experience planted the seed, and the Jimmy Carter Work Project (JCWP) has been an internationally recognized event of HFH International ever since.

Every year, Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn Carter give a week of their time – along with their construction skills – to build homes and raise awareness of the critical need for affordable housing. The JCWP is held at different location each year, and attracts volunteers from around the world.

Who are the working partners of Habitat for Humanity China?

In China, we are working in close collaboration with local governments and various notable organizations (including Communist Youth League, Rural Credit Cooperatives, China Disabled Persons’ Federation, Amity Foundation, Lion Club, etc.). All of us have a common goal – to help tackle housing problems of the rural farmers and to alleviate poverty.

In Hong Kong, we have been collaborating with various nonprofit organizations, such as Senior Citizen Home Safety Association, St. James’ Settlement and Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council, etc. With the joint efforts of these organizations, HFH China launched the Home Safety and Improvement Programme for the elderly living alone.

HFH China is also supported by many corporate partners. Major donors include Piaget, Citigroup, Dow Chemical, Nike, etc.

How can I help?
You may support us by:

(1)Donation:
Crossed Cheque: Please send a crossed cheque (payable to “Habitat for Humanity China Limited”) to Habitat for Humanity China, 3/F SPA Centre, 55 Lockhart Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong together with your contact information.

Direct Bank-in/ATM Transfer: HSBC 502-476591-002 (for HKD), HSBC 502-476591-274 (for USD); please send the bank-in slip with your contact information

Cash donations over HK$100 is tax-deductible with official receipt.

(2)Becoming our corporate partner: If your corporation/organization is interested to collaborate with us in partnership, sponsor designated projects, or jointly organize fundraising/promotion activities with us, we will be glad to discuss with you in details and offer different proposals tailored to suit your particular donation goals.

(3)Joining our volunteer programmes: We welcome schools, corporations and organizations to form teams and participate in our volunteer programmes. Please contact us for more details.