About Habitat

Mission:

To work in partnership with God and with people everywhere, from all walks of life, to develop decent communities with people in need by building and renovating houses, so that there are simple, affordable homes in which every person can experience God's love and can live and grow into all that God intends.

workers working on a wall.

Goal:

To eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the face of the earth.

History:

Habitat for Humanity International (HfHI) was founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller in Americus, Georgia. As a faith-based, non-profit builder of homes for and with God's low-income people, Habitat has built and sold more than 200,000 homes in more than 100 countries worldwide. As such, HfHI is the world's largest residential builder. Former President Jimmy Carter is our most visible celebrity volunteer. There are approximately 2300 total affiliates (1700 in the U.S.). You can learn more about HfHI by going to: www.habitat.org.

Habitat for Humanity of Mahoning County (HfHMC), an affiliate of HfHI, was founded by the Rev. Paul Carpenter, a United Church of Christ minister, in 1989 in Youngstown, Ohio, and mandated to operate only in Mahoning County. HfHMC is incorporated in the State of Ohio and has tax-exempt 501(c)3 IRS status. At first, HfHMC rehabbed old houses in Youngstown but for the first time in 1992 built two new houses. Since then, the local affiliate built or rehabbed about 20 homes. It currently has one rehabbed home and 12 new homes under mortgage. Due to lead paint and asbestos environmental problems, HfHMC no longer rehabs but only builds new homes.

Operations:

Habitat for Humanity of Mahoning County (HfHMC) is governed by a 24 member volunteer Board of Directors, intentionally balanced in regard to race, age, gender and religion. The affiliate Board operates via its official By-Laws and Policies. The Board meets once a month on the third Monday of each month.

HfHMC leases a 5400 sq. ft. warehouse at 1151 Manning Avenue in Youngstown, Ohio, and employs a full-time Executive Director plus one half-time Construction Coordinator.

HfHMC finances are on a July-to-June fiscal year and undergo an annual audit. All income derives from donations by individuals, churches, service clubs, businesses, banks and savings & loan companies, and through grants from corporations, foundations and trusts. Building sites (lots) are obtained through the Federal Land Bank Program, through the Mahoning County Treasurer's Tax Delinquency Reutilization Program, and through donations from property owners. Building materials are bought at discount from local vendors or are donated as gifts in kind.

All code work (plumbing, heating and electrical) is performed pro bono by Building Trade Apprentice Programs. Our wall panels, both interior and exterior, are prefabbed by the inmates of the Elkton Federal Penitentiary. All other work on our Habitat homes is done by our Partner/Owners and our loyal volunteers.