Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity FAQ

What is Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity?

  • Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity (IVHFH) is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry.
  • We seek to eliminate poverty housing in Johnson, Cedar and Iowa counties.
  • We partner with lower-income families and assist them, giving them a hand up into first-time homeownership, not a handout.
  • We work with people from all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need of safe and secure housing.
  • The homes we build are simple and decent, meaning they are affordable for the partner family in the short-term. Additionally, all homes we build are extremely energy-efficient to ensure the families can afford the homes in the long-term as well. One of our most recent HERS rating, conducted by Cenergy, was 53.

How does it work?

  • Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, we build simple, decent houses. Partner families and volunteers work alongside our construction crew to build each home.
  • IVHFH is not a giveaway program. As a down payment, each adult member of the family who will live in the home (partner family) is required to put in 250 hours of sweat equity, or volunteer labor. They do this by volunteering to build their home and homes of others, and also work in the IVHFH ReStore and in the office. Once a partner family moves into their new home, they will may monthly mortgage payments over a fixed-year term.
  • Habitat homes are sold to partner families at no profit and no interest, making our homes extremely affordable.
  • The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are recycled back into Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity to assist more families and build more Habitat houses.

How are partner families selected?

  • Families in need of decent shelter apply to our affiliate to become a partner family. Partnering with IVHFH is not a quick fix, as it takes at least 3 months to be approved as a partner family and an additional amount of time to be placed in the queue to receive a home before the home is even built.
  • Our family selection committee chooses homeowners based on their level of need, their level of income, their willingness to become partners in the program and their ability to repay the loan, plus other requirements.
  • Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing the families who receive a home.
  • Aside from volunteering and paying a monthly mortgage, all families must attend educational classes that cover subjects such as taxes, insurance, home maintenance, budgeting, and legal issues.

What does a Habitat house cost?

  • Each house varies depending on the model of home being built and the county in which we’re building. The cost of the home includes the lot purchase, materials to build the home, and all labor that’s hired in (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, etc.). A typical house in Johnson county costs our affiliate around $110,000 to build.
  • Mortgage length varies but is usually around 20-25 years.

Is Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity funded by the government or Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI)?

  • No. Through generous grants we are able to purchase some land from the government. HFHI helps our affiliate coordinate national sponsorships and provides us with training and grant resources.
  • Our affiliate is a self-sufficient and independent organization. We are responsible for funding all home builds and look to businesses, faith organizations, service groups, and individuals within our area to help us in assisting more families.

What is the Habitat ReStore?

  • The ReStore is a home-improvement store that accepts donated building and housing materials from individuals and businesses. All items are then sold back to the general public at a deeply discounted rate.
  • The ReStore benefits the community by providing access to affordable building and decorating supplies, benefits the environment by alleviating waste, and benefits Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity.
  • The program is all about recycling: not only are all items in the ReStore recycled to help reduce waste in the local landfill, but all proceeds are recycled back into Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity to help build more homes.

Where else does Habitat for Humanity operate?

  • Habitat for Humanity affiliates are located worldwide, including in more than 90 countries and in all 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico.
  • The operational headquarters are located in Americus, Georgia, USA.
  • The administrative headquarters are located in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.