 About Wichita Habitat for Humanity
Wichita Habitat for Humanity, Inc. became an official affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) in October, 1986. Our progress toward the elimination of housing poverty is:
- By the end of 2011, 150 homes built in partnership with local individuals, families, churches, businesses and other non-profit organizations as fulfillment of the ultimate goal to end substandard and poverty housing in Wichita and Sedgwick County.
- Wichita Habitat provides a tithe of 10% of unrestricted contributions to HFHI. Funds sent since 1987 have sponsored over 76 homes worldwide!
Wichita Habitat's Timeline
1986: Wichita Habitat becomes an official affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International
1990: First home constructed and sold to a family
1995: Teamed with Mennonite Housing to build 21 homes
1998: Hired first staff member
2001: Independently completed a four-house blitz build
2001: Received Sedgwick County Chair’s Award for its good work in the community
2002: Completed 8 houses and the second independent blitz build
2003: First annual Women Build house completed with 640 women and 13 men in just 16 days
2005: Built six homes and positioned for greater growth in 2006
2006: 20th Anniversary year: Banner year with 10 new homes built
2007: Launched 42-home development in August 2007. First major development in affiliate history. Completion date of 2010. Reaching new records: 14 new homes built
2008: Built 17 houses including three in the tornado-ravaged town of Greensburg, KS. Reached and exceeded the 100th house milestone!
2009: Built 16 houses
2010: Built 18 homes, finished the Edgebrook Village and launched the Habitat South Village with a major build event
In 2011: Will build 12 homes
 About Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit Christian housing ministry working in partnership with low-income families to improve the conditions in which they live.
Habitat is a practical way to "love one another." Volunteers do nearly all of the labor on a Habitat house. Funds and building materials come from individuals, businesses, churches, and from community minded organizations.
Habitat is not a giveaway program. Low-income families selected for Habitat houses must pay closing costs and monthly payments on a no interest, no profit mortgage. Families are required to invest 250-400 hours of "Sweat Equity" in the construction of their house, to help other Habitat homeowners or in volunteer service related to habitat. Habitat is not a hand out, it is a leg up.
With Habitat for Humanity, building relationships and communities is as important as building houses. By working together as partners, we all become aware of our common heritages as God’s children. |
