Habitat for Humanity Texas provides education, technical assistance, and resources to empower Texas affiliates while they are on the ground making a difference in their local communities.
 

  • Education and Technical Assistance: We provide education and technical assistance in nonprofit best practices, mortgage services, fundraising, construction, and regulatory compliance to local affiliates.

  • Resource Development: We develop partnerships that bring funding, people, supplies, and technology to local affiliates, which broadens our impact on the housing needs of Texans.

  • Disaster Services: We prepare Texas affiliates and communities for disasters and coordinate for long term recovery after disaster strikes.

  • Advocacy: We raise awareness on housing issues by serving as a liaison, thought-leader, and policy advisors to lawmakers, elected officials, and state agencies.

Our History

The idea that became Habitat for Humanity first grew from a community farm outside of Americus, Georgia, founded by farmer and biblical scholar Clarence Jordan. On the farm, Jordan and Habitat’s eventual founders Millard and Linda Fuller developed the concept of “partnership housing.” The concept centered on those in need of adequate shelter working side by side with volunteers to build decent, affordable houses. The houses would be built at no profit. New homeowners’ house payments would be combined with no-interest loans provided by supporters and money earned by fundraising to create “The Fund for Humanity,” which would then be used to build more homes.

Today, Habitat for Humanity is a global nonprofit housing organization working in nearly 1,400 communities across the United States and in approximately 70 countries around the world. Habitat’s vision is of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Habitat works toward our vision by building strength, stability and self-reliance in partnership with people and families in need of a decent and affordable home.

“The measure of a Christian is not in the height of his grasp but in the depth of his love.”
Clarence Jordan - Spiritual Father of Habitat

Faith In Action

Habitat’s ministry is based on the conviction that to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, we must love and care for one another. Our love must not be words only – it must be true love, which shows itself in action. Habitat provides an opportunity for people to put their faith and love into action. We bring diverse groups of people together to make affordable housing and better communities a reality for everyone.

Organizational Structure

Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI)

HFHI was founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller.

As an organization HFHI:

  • Determines the mission, vision statement, and core principles that guide all affiliated Habitat organizations;
  • Writes Habitat’s federal legislative agenda and nation-wide advocacy agenda;
  • Supports international collaborations and partnerships that allow Habitat to build in 70 countries worldwide, and 1,500 US communities.

To learn more about HFHI’s history and work, please visit their website.

Habitat for Humanity Texas (Habitat Texas)

Habitat for Humanity Texas was established in 2005.

As a state service organization, Habitat Texas is guided by four pillars of service determined by HFHI. These four pillars of service guide Habitat Texas in its efforts to work with and assist Texas’ affiliates.  The four pillars of service are: Advocacy, Training & Technical Assistance, Resource Development, and Disaster Services. Whether it’s through resource development, advocacy, or training & technical assistance, Habitat Texas aims to increase the build capacity of Texas Habitat affiliates.

Click here to learn more about how Habitat Texas works to increase build capacity of Texas affiliates.

Texas Habitat for Humanity (Affiliate)

Texas’ Habitat affiliates range in size and build capacity. Overall, Texas Habitat affiliates coordinate many volunteers annually, and represent over 14,000 Habitat homeowners. Whether an affiliate is large or small, Texas Habitat affiliates work to support local communities in big ways.

It is estimated that for every 100 Habitat homes built in a community:

  • 324 jobs are created;
  • $21.1 million in local wages and business income is generated and;
  • $2.1 million in new tax revenue for local governments is accrued.

Click here to find your local affiliate to become involved in volunteer opportunities and local programs and see services offered.

Texas Habitat ReStores

ReStores are stores that are owned and operated by Habitat affiliates that salvage new and gently used household items and building materials. Once an item or material is salvaged, it is then resold to the public for 50-80% of the item or materials retail price.

Click here to find your local ReStore to donate an item or to shop and support a local Habitat near you.

Texas Habitat College Chapters

Habitat Campus Chapters are a great way for students to get involved in Habitat’s mission. A campus chapter is a group of students who are passionate about helping people build better lives for themselves, and are ready to take the next step to lead the charge at their school to help fulfill Habitat’s mission. Student chapters are self-led and engage in fundraising and awareness raising events on campus, and help build community partners among their peers.

Click here to see if a Habitat Campus Chapter is currently active on your campus.

All Are Welcome

Habitat for Humanity has an open-door policy: All who  believe that everyone needs a decent, affordable place to live are welcome to help with the work, regardless of race, religion, age, gender, political views or any of the other distinctions that too often divide people. In short, Habitat welcomes volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds and also serves people in need of decent housing regardless of race or religion. As a matter of policy, Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliated organizations do not proselytize. This means that Habitat will not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must either adhere to or convert to a particular faith, or listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith.

Habitat families achieve long-term financial security and self-reliance through paying mortgages, paying taxes, and investing in their communities. They work to build their own homes, called “sweat equity”, and give back by working on the homes of other partner families. Economic impact analysis shows that property values in Habitat neighborhoods rise, crime is reduced, and quality of life for the entire community is improved.

Simple and decent While all Habitat homes share similar design features, the differences in climate and construction techniques ensure ample individuality. Additionally, homeowners are given opportunities to customize their homes.

Sustainable construction practices We build sustainable homes to take better care of our environment, our homeowners, and our volunteers. Our goals are to reduce the home’s monthly and life cycle costs and increase efficiency and durability while providing healthy environments.

Accessibility Throughout North America, Habitat affiliates are encouraged to build with special attention to wheelchair accessibility for both homeowners and visitors.

Habitat affiliates provide new home construction for partner families, following the fair housing and housing accessibility guidelines. Some may also have a ReStore, provide critical home repairs, engage in Veteran Build, Women Build, and Neighborhood Revitalization.

Find your local affiliate to see the programs, services, and volunteer opportunities (it’s not just building) available in your community!

“I’ve participated in many strategic planning programs, this (led by Amy Ledbetter Parham) was one of the best.”

Leonard Bentch, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Fredericksburg

“It was great getting to connect with other Habitat Leaders and relax too.” (About the Leader Retreat 2017)

Susan Robertson, Habitat For Humanity of Angelina County

“The leader retreats are probably the most encouraging, inspirational events I have attended with Habitat. I learned that everyone pretty much felt like they were drinking out of a fire hose at first, and occasionally since then. This is the perfect event for new leaders, or for those who have been here a while but still have questions about best practices. And after all, who among us doesn’t.”

Steven Leggett, Habitat for Humanity Abilene

“Great webinar [International’s Required Training for MLOs]! It worked great! We are so blessed to have you and your team.”

Carol Davidson, Habitat for Humanity of Hood County

“This new Habitat for Humanity Texas Loan Origination Assistance Program was such a wonderful resource for our small affiliate.  I would also like to thank you all for helping us get into LO compliance with your State Training.  You all came to our rescue.  We are so glad we are members!”

Linda Baxter, Habitat for Humanity Camp County