Habitat affiliates are local, grass-roots organizations.
Concerned citizens come together to address the problem of poverty housing in their community.
These citizens form committees, research the community's needs and resources, and evaluate the potential success of Habitat's self-help model in their community. The group then applies to HFHI for formal affiliation. The affiliates' relationship with HFHI is one of partnership. The affiliates build houses, while HFHI provides a wide range of support services and resources. Just as in the United States, Habitat's international work is fueled by local initiative.