Habitat Support Organizations

            Around two decades ago, a new type of organization became affiliated with Habitat of Humanity International.  These organizations evolved on a regional basis to obtain resources for that region’s affiliates.  They do not build homes.  Some have been very successful and are now providing up to 50% of the affiliates’ resources in their regions.  Most are state support organizations.  State Housing Agencies and large donors often find it more convenient and efficient to deal with an organization that represents all a state's affiliates than to deal with many affiliates individually.  Some of the other successful areas where support organizations have been involved are: in obtaining Federal Home Loan Bank Funds; running statewide VISTA programs; developing communications in their region; providing boiler plate  documents for affiliates; coordinating blitz builds; developing construction programs with state prisons; developing partnerships with other organizations interested in providing affordable housing; decimation housing information; training volunteers; etc. 

Although support organizations have their similarities, each has developed in its own unique way.  In 1998, national support organization leaders met at a Habitat for Humanity International training event in Monterey, CA.  Another meeting followed in 1999 at Denver, CO.  These meeting and the resulting spread of ideas and experience are saving support organizations from having to reinvent the wheel every time they tackle a new area.  The end result is that more resources are flowing to the affiliates where the homes are built. 

The payments from the homeowners go into building more homes and thus the Fund for Humanity is increasing.  In the US alone, millions of dollars of home payments are reinvested every year.

 Return to   top of page or  Main Menu