Former President Jimmy Carter is the most prominent volunteer
and spokesperson for a non-profit organization dedicated to
providing housing for low-income families around the world.
Habitat for Humanity International was founded in Americus, Ga.,
in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller. Since then it has grown to an
ecumenical, worldwide ministry operating in 63 countries that has
provided more than 100,000 safe, decent, affordable homes for
people living in substandard conditions.
Former President Jimmy Carter is the most prominent volunteer and spokesperson for a non-profit organization dedicated to providing housing for low-income families around the world.
Habitat for Humanity International was founded in Americus, Ga., in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller. Since then it has grown to an ecumenical, worldwide ministry operating in 63 countries that has provided more than 100,000 safe, decent, affordable homes for people living in substandard conditions.
Silicon Valley Habitat for Humanity, the local affiliate for Santa Clara County, is one of 1,600 chapters in the United States. Since its founding in 1986, it has built 23 homes (in Alviso, Campbell and San Jose) to provide shelter for 86 children. Currently, work is progressing on an additional home in Los Gatos and a home restoration in San Jose.
As its slogan says, “Habitat offers a hand up, not a handout.” Families selected to participate must be living in substandard housing, meet income guidelines – annual income currently $28,800 to $48,000 for a family of four – and be willing to contribute 500 hours of “sweat equity” in building the home.
Once construction is completed, the homes are sold at no profit to the homeowner families, who pay small, monthly, no-interest mortgage payments for 30 years. These payments are recycled to fund more homes for needy families.
Despite being in existence for 16 years, Silicon Valley Habitat for Humanity has never built any houses in South County. About a year ago, a group of Morgan Hill and Gilroy residents decided they would like to explore organizing an affiliate which would focus its attention and efforts locally because our need for low-income housing is so great. Approximately 70 local residents have attended one or more meetings in Morgan Hill churches to investigate how low-income housing could be built in this area through Habitat for Humanity.
Initially, the thought was to form a new chapter based here, but since the Silicon Valley Chapter includes all of Santa Clara County, discussion with that chapter’s leadership resulted in a decision to join forces with the already-established group. Local residents are being recruited to serve on subcommittees working on developing projects in Gilroy and Morgan Hill. These include site acquisition, finance, family selection and construction.
A database also is being developed of local residents who are interested in working toward this goal, along with the talents they may be able to contribute, whether it be construction or 0other skills. Because of the high cost of land, such housing can only be built on property which has been donated for this purpose, so they are searching for sites which might be available through these means.
Ten percent of the revenues of each chapter is sent to Habitat International Headquarters, but money from headquarters is rarely sent to help with local projects. However, South County residents who already are donors to Habitat International can see that their funds are spent locally by designating “Silicon Valley Habitat for Humanity” on their checks.
The next meeting of the local group will be at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at St. Catherine’s Church in Morgan Hill. For more information call Ann Cretin at 779-3058, e-mail Rick Haeckel at ha*****@*ps.net or check the Internet at www.habitatsanjose.org.
