FAQ

No. The families with whom we partner pay an affordable mortgage for their home and contribute sweat equity hours to the building of homes.

There are several criteria and eligibility requirements. Some of those include: Habitat families need to work or live within our 5-County service area (Dakota, Plymouth, Sioux, Woodbury and Union Counties) for at least 12 months and have a household income between 40-80% of the area median income as established by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (based on US census statistics). Every family completes an extensive application.

Families are selected based on 3 criteria:
1. Need for Shelter
2. Ability to Pay an Affordable Mortgage
3. Willingness to Partner

Families, couples or individuals in need of decent shelter apply to local Habitat affiliates. The Homeowner Selection Committee assesses each applicant’s level of need, their willingness to become partners in the program and their ability to repay a low-interest mortgage loan. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing who receives a Habitat home.

We use a professional real-estate appraiser to determine the fair market value of the house. This value is used as the sale price. If a homeowner's affordability rate (30% of household income) is less than the fair market value, we offer an affordability subsidy secured with a ‘soft’ mortgage to discount the mortgage to this level.

Siouxland Habitat relies on donations from individuals, corporations, foundations, and the faith community. Habitat home mortgage payments are used to support our home building efforts as well as proceeds from our ReStore. We do not rely on any one source of revenue.

The ReStore is a non-profit home improvement store and donation center, open to the public, that sells new and gently used furniture, home accessories, building materials, and appliances to the public at a fraction of the retail price. Proceeds are used to support our partnership with families in building strength, stability and self-reliance through homeownership. Donations come from private individuals and retail operations.

Yes. Habitat needs volunteers to work on many tasks, including working on special events, mentoring families, fundraising, preparing mailings, and providing coffees and lunches at the construction site. Call our office for more information.

All contributions are used where most needed, for construction materials, building permits, subcontractor fees or other construction expenses. Siouxland Habitat serves as the general contractor on all its rehabilitation and new construction projects. We are able to do what no other government or corporate entity can do – we leverage every dollar donated with the use of volunteer and partner family labor and donated materials and services.

Several of our properties are donated to us or we purchase them at a significantly discounted rate. All properties are considered before acceptance or purchase of them based on the location and ability to contribute to building neighborhoods and the ability to conform to the Habitat model of building.

Yes, we are a global nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. All who desire to be a part of this work are welcome, regardless of religious preference or background. We believe in building with people in need regardless of race or religion. We welcome homeowners, volunteers, and supporters from all backgrounds.

Our organization takes our privacy policy seriously and takes steps to protect and ensure the safety of our supporters. We do not sell or otherwise disclose information about our volunteers or supporters.