Founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller, Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. HFHI seeks to eliminate substandard housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat invites people from all walks of life to work together in partnership to help build houses with families in need. Today, we have helped build over 400,000 decent, affordable houses and served more than 2 million people around the world.

Through volunteer labor and tax-deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner (partner) families. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit, financed with affordable, no-interest loans. The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments go into a revolving Fund for Humanity that is used to build more houses. Habitat is not a give-away program. In addition to a down payment and the monthly mortgage payments, each homeowner family invests hundreds of hours of their own labor – sweat equity – into the building of their house and the houses of others.

The average price for a Habitat home in Seneca County (NY) is $165,000. The no-profit sale and no-interest mortgage help make Habitat homes affordable. Prices will vary depending on location and the costs of land and materials. In developing nations, a Habitat house can cost much less. 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.

Families apply to local Habitat affiliates. A Family Selection Committee chooses homeowners based on their level of need, their willingness to become partners in the program and their ability to repay the loan. Every affiliate follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing the families that receive Habitat houses.

Donations received by Habitat for Humanity of Seneca County, Inc. (NY) are used to build homes in Seneca County, (NY). Donations received through HFHI are forwarded to Habitat for Humanity of Seneca County, Inc. (NY) less an administrative fee.

Our affiliate is managed by a volunteer board and presently we have no paid employees.

Habitat accepts government funds as long as the funds have no strings attached that would violate Habitat’s principles or limit its ability to proclaim its Christian witness.

If you are interested in volunteering with Habitat for Humanity of Seneca County, Inc. (NY) – call our local office (315) 568-1190 or send an e-mail to info@habitatseneca.org. There’s also more information about volunteering on this website. Have an employer who wants a dedicated workday to donate employee time and talent; inquire about current opportunities by calling the number here or emailing us!

Get involved! Pray for the work of Habitat for Humanity. Contribute financially to Habitat for Humanity of Seneca County, Inc. (NY), and/or participate in our fundraising events. We need people to help build, to serve on committees and to spread the word about Habitat. Call (315) 568-1190 or send an email to info@habitatseneca.org for more information.