Founded in 1986, Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven is a non-profit organization dedicated to the elimination of poverty and substandard housing through the creation of homeownership opportunities for low-income, working families. Habitat builds and rehabilitates homes in the New Haven area with the goal of creating safe, affordable houses that add to the revitalization of New Haven’s neighborhoods. Habitat accomplishes its mission by partnering with individuals, religious and civic organizations, local businesses and corporations. Habitat for Humanity offers a hand up rather than a handout to families who qualify for the homebuyers program. Approved Habitat families work side by side with volunteers from the community to build their house. They invest a minimum of 400 “sweat equity” hours. Homes are purchased at below market cost from Habitat via a 0% interest, 25-year mortgage. Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven is one of nearly 1,700 Habitat for Humanity affiliates in the United States and 550 more internationally. The parent organization, Habitat for Humanity International, is headquartered in Americus, Georgia. Although Habitat was formed as an ecumenical Christian ministry, volunteers of all faiths and backgrounds work side by side to replace poverty and substandard housing. Habitat for Humanity is the world’s largest non-profit homebuilder. To date, Habitat has built more than 400,000 houses around the world.