¹ Habitat for Humanity is an international organization with headquarters in Americus, Georgia.  Jimmy and Roslyn Carter are the best known volunteers. Interested volunteers start their own chapter in their area, receiving some guidance from the headquarters.  Chapters raise their own money to build homes, which are sold for the cost of materials to families selected by the chapter.  The buyers borrow the purchase price (the homes are not given away) using a zero interest mortgage issued by the chapter.  A second mortgage covers the estimated cost of volunteer labor.  This mortgage is at no cost, unless the homeowner tries to sell the home.  In that event, the labor cost is added to the debt owed the Habitat chapter.

      In our area, most of the homes have been built in Xenia, Ohio known for damage and casualties caused by tornadoes in April, 1974.  We build an 1100 sq. ft. home, usually on donated land, for about $45,000.  Including property taxes, the homeowner pays about $300 per month.  In many cases, the homeowners were paying $500-$700 per month for a small, run-down apartment.  It’s a good deal.  The family has an immediate improvement in their quality of life.