Habitat Frequently Asked Questions

Habitat’s building program benefits the local community in several ways. Building new houses and turning them over to partner/owners converts non-productive land into taxable properties. In providing affordable homes to low-income working families, Habitat helps to reduce the pool of substandard housing in the community. By involving hundreds of volunteers in its housing ministry, Habitat stimulates the spirit of hope for the community and offers proof that cooperative work can lead to tangible results. And, perhaps most importantly, Habitat provides a fresh start for partner/owners families by empowering them with the independence and self-respect that come from owning one’s own home.

Yes. HFHMV is a 501(c) 3 tax-exempt organization. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliated organizations will not proselytize. Nor will HFHMV work with entities or individuals who insist on proselytizing as part of their work with HFHMV. This means that HFHMV will not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must adhere to or convert to a particular faith or listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith.

No. Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit ecumenical housing ministry. HFHMV is a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. Each affiliate selects its own projects and families and raises the resources to accomplish its program goals. HFHMV receives generous donations from individuals, churches, corporations, foundations, and community service clubs (Rotary, Lions, etc.). Government or tax dollars, must be used sparingly. Also, our local affiliate holds major fundraising events.

1. Demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ. We undertake our work to demonstrate the love and teachings of Jesus, acting in all ways in accord with the belief that God’s love and grace are bound for all, and that we must be the “hands and feet” of that love and grace in our world. We believe that, through faith, the miniscule can be multiplied to accomplish the magnificent, and that, in faith, respectful relationships can grow among all people.
2. Focus on shelter. We have chosen, as our means of manifesting God’s love to create opportunities for all people to live in decent, durable shelter. We put faith into action by helping to build, renovate or preserve homes, and by partnering with others to accelerate and broaden access to affordable housing as a foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty.
3. Advocate for affordable housing. In response to the prophet Micah’s call to do justice, to love mercy and to walk humbly with God, we promote decent, affordable housing for all, and we support the global community’s commitment to housing as a basic human right. We will advocate for just and fair housing policy to eliminate the constraints that contribute to poverty housing. And, in all of our work, we will seek to put shelter on hearts and minds in such powerful ways that poverty housing becomes socially, politically and religiously acceptable.
4. Promote dignity and hope. We believe that no one lives in dignity until everyone can live in dignity. We believe that every person has something to contribute and something to gain from creating communities in which all people have decent, affordable places to live. We believe that dignity and hope are best achieved through equitable, accountable partnerships.
5. Support sustainable and transformational development. We view our work as successful when it transforms lives and promotes positive and lasting social, economic and spiritual change within a community; when it is based on mutual trust and fully shared accomplishment; and when it demonstrates responsible stewardship of all resources entrusted to us.

HFHMV services Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties.

Our mission is: Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.

Our vision: A world where everyone has a decent place to live.

Building sites (lots or parcels) are donated to us by their owners (mainly individuals, churches, banks, or businesses); some lots come from the Land Bank Program; more recently, lots have been obtained from the local City and/or County governments themselves.

Several national partners donate to Habitat affiliates. For example, Whirlpool donates the refrigerators and stoves and sells washers and dryers at a special discount rated. Some materials/equipment are donated and local businesses are encouraged to make in-kind donations. Lumber, insulation, roofing and siding are purchased from local vendors.

All code work must be done by construction professionals and must pass the City and/or County Inspection standards. Some work is done by local Apprentice Programs in those fields. All foundation work (grading, excavation, slabs and walks) is done by certified sub-contractors.