Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, ecumenical, Christian ministry whose purpose is to build homes and improve communities in partnership with low and very low income families in Loudoun County. Loudoun Habitat for Humanity is not a give-away program. Through the use of donations, in-kind gifts and volunteer labor, Habitat builds simple decent homes and sells the homes at cost with a no-profit mortgage to deserving families. Habitat houses are built in collaboration with partner families who contribute 250-350 hours of their own labor known as "sweat equity". By contributing sweat equity hours, homeowners are vested in their home and neighborhood as they enjoy the tangible results of teamwork. Habitat for Humanity offers a long-term solution, not a quick-fix, to the problem of poverty housing. The organization makes home ownership possible for people who would not otherwise qualify for a conventional mortgage or afford safe, decent shelter.