LATEST NEWS AND EVENTS

A Fond Farewell:
Dr. Geraldine K. Chapman
On Sunday, December 3, we celebrated the life of our recently departed friend. She was an inspiration to all who met her, and we remember fondly all the time that she spent with us.

2000-2001: Mentor Avenue, Capitol Heights. Constructing two new single-family homes as part of The House the Senate Built program.

2000-2001: Gunther Street, Capitol Heights. Complete renovation of house for Habitat family homeowners. more...

HOW DOES IT ALL WORK

Habitat for Humanity of Prince George's County, Maryland has been able to build simple, decent three bedroom houses for approximately $70,000 each. When sold at this price with a no-interest mortgage and a term of 30 years, this translates into a combined monthly payment (taxes and insurance included) of around $350.

CONTACT US

 

Mt. Rainier, Fall 1999: The Cox Family and their supporters in front of their completed Habitat House.

Affordable Housing About Habitat for Humanity Frequently Asked Questions Photos of volunteers

Affordable Housing for Low-Income Families in Need

Habitat for Humanity of Prince George's County, Maryland has been able to build simple, decent three bedroom houses for approximately $70,000 each. When sold at this price with a no-interest mortgage and a term of 30 years, this translates into a combined monthly payment (taxes and insurance included) of around $350.

As anyone can judge, this dramatically opens up the opportunities for homeownership. Habitat for Humanity believes that it offers the single, best opportunity for enabling poor, hardworking families to escape substandard housing and pull themselves up economically, by acquiring a home of their own and the equity that will accrue from it after it is paid for.

Most sociologists agree on one thing: the best approach to ending poverty is by ending the segregation of the poor from the mainstream population. Many federal, state, and municipal programs have failed in the past because they directed money toward improving the environment where the poor were already isolated from good schools, ample shopping facilities, daycare centers, and other essential services.

The best opportunities for upward mobility, stable growth and economic independence exist, at the very minimum, in low-poverty communities. This is essentially what Habitat for Humanity promotes by building housing in already extablished and cohesive communities. Habitat homeowners are freed from oftentimes crowded and unsafe areas such as low-rent apartment complexes or subsidized but neglected housing.

About Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, nondenominational Christian housing organization. We welcome all people to join us as we build simple, decent, affordable houses in partnership with those in need of adequate shelter.

Habitat for Humanity's work is organized at the local level by more than 1,900 affiliates worldwide. PG Habitat is one of those affiliates. Affiliates coordinate house building and select partner families.

Since 1976, Habitat for Humanity International has built more than 100,000 houses in more than 60 countries. Habitat's goal is to build an additional 100,000 houses by 2005. Habitat is the 6th largest homebuilder in America.

Habitat houses are purchased by the homeowner families. Three factors make Habitat houses affordable to low-income people worldwide:

1. Houses are sold at no profit, with no interest charged on the mortgage.

2. Homeowners and volunteers build the houses under trained supervision.

3. Individuals, corporations, faith groups and others provide financial support.

Homeowner families are chosen according to their need; their ability to repay the no-profit, no-interest mortgage; and their willingness to work in partnership with Habitat.

Habitat for Humanity does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnic background, welfare participation, or physical handicap.

Frequently Asked Questions

Choose a question: What is Habitat for Humanity, Prince George's County? How can I contact Habitat of PG County? How Can I Volunteer? What Can I Do as a Volunteer? How old is Habitat for Humanity of Prince George's County? How Large is This Affiliate? Who Controls and Manages the Affiliate? How Are You Funded? Can I donate online? Is My Contribution Tax-Deductible? How Much Do the Homes Cost? How Long Do People Make Payments? How Are Homeowners Chosen? How Are Donations Used? How Else Can I Help?

What Is Habitat for Humanity, Prince George's County?

We are a local Maryland affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, an ecumenical Christian housing ministry which seeks to eliminate poverty housing from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.

How can I contact Habitat of PG County?

Mail:	Habitat for Humanity of Prince George's County PO Box 72 Mt. Rainier, Maryland 20712
Phone:	301-779-1912
Email:	pghabitat@aol.com

How Can I Volunteer?

Call (301)779-1912 to reach our voice mail system.

What Can I Do as a Volunteer?

PG Habitat needs people to help with a variety of tasks, from fundraising and publicity to working with the families we help to preparing new housing sites for construction. In addition, there are opportunities to work with other affiliates and with Habitat International. In short, if you tell us what your skills or interests are, we can find something to match!

How old is Habitat for Humanity of Prince George's County?

We received our charter from the State of Maryland in April, 1988. We were also one of the first Habitat chapters in the nation with its own Website, which started in January 1995.

How Large is This Affiliate?

PG Habitat consists of more than 100 volunteers, and has a board of directors who manage the affairs of the affiliate. There are seven committees working on different aspects of the affiliate's operation.

Who Controls and Manages the Affiliate?

Every Habitat affiliate around the world is autonomous, selecting its own projects, families, and programs, and raising the money to achieve these goals. Habitat for Humanity International has guidelines that chapters are expected to follow and provides other help. Each chapter prepares periodic reports for the regional and national offices, and also supports the international organization by providing 10% of its donations toward projects in third world countries.

How Are You Funded?

PG Habitat relies on local contributors for both labor and money. Donations come from individuals, churches, corporations, and foundations. Habitat also receives land and block grants from federal, state, and county government. We also deposit the mortgage payments from the families we help into our Fund for Humanity to help build more homes.

Can I donate online?

Unfortunately, no. We are working to setup accounts and a secure server to handle credit card transactions, but we have no means of securely accepting your donations online at this time. Thank you for your patience as we work toward this goal!

Is My Contribution Tax-Deductible?

Yes. Habitat for Humanity, Prince George's County is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization. All donations are tax-deductible.

How Much Do the Homes Cost? How Long Do People Make Payments?

It costs PG Habitat about $35,000 to build a new single family house. Additional variables such as land worth, grading, public improvements, permits and miscellaneous fees can make the final cost close to $70,000. The final figure after including all variables is the basis for setting the selling price.

 Habitat mortgages are no-interest and can be for between 15 to 30 years in duration. The length of the mortgages varies according to the ability of the buyer to make payments. Montly payments include mortgage, insurance, and taxes.

We also have Sponsored Projects, which receive major contributions from churches or corporations, such as First Union Bank . Some volunteers are also supplied by sponsors. Habitat locates and acquires the site, selects the family, and supplies other necessary support for sponsored projects.

How Are Homeowners Chosen?

PG Habitat selects among county residents' applications based on family references, credit history, and interviews. Housing need, family size, current living conditions, ability to repay the loan, and character are all considered. Homeowners must work 500 hours of "sweat equity" which is considered the house's down payment. Habitat conforms to federal law in its selection process, abiding by both the Fair Housing and Equal Credits Acts which prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, religion, ethnic background, welfare participation, or physical handicap.

How Are Donations Used?

Donations of money and materials are used where most needed to help families unless a donor specifies what the donation should go toward.

How Else Can I Help?

Do you know someone in a Maryland business who is in a decision-making position? Call us at 301-779-1912; we have Maryland tax credits in return for contributions!

You can also ask your organization/church to invite Habitat as a speaker. Encourage people to give to our organization through the United Way Campaign or to mail donations directly to

Habitat for Humanity, Prince George's County
P.O. Box 72
Mount Rainier, MD  20712

Please make checks payable to "Habitat for Humanity, Prince George's County."