The construction of new Habitat houses usually takes eight to 12 months. In order to keep its mission at a grassroots level, HFH conducts its operations through independent, locally-run affiliates. Each affiliate is responsible for raising funds, constructing houses, selecting eligible families collecting payments and other key activities. Currently, there are nearly 1,900 active affiliates around the world. The main resources of HFH originates in volunteer labor and tax-deductible donations of money and materials from local communities.
Most volunteers are retirees, college students and church members.
As the Reverend spoke more about the HFH, I found myself wanting to become involved with the organization. Later on in the service, one of the church speakers, a young woman exuding confidence as she preached to the congregation, once again brought up the HFH, only this time she stressed that the organization was based on caring, and that all people were welcome, so long as their only goal was to help others. Moved by her speech, I decided after the service to enroll in HFH and see how I could help the organization. I now have an appointment on Friday, September 15th to help paint one of the planned Habitat homes in Harlem. Comments about this story.