Habitat For Humanity India

FAQs

1. What Is Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International is a global not for profit organization. Founded in 1976 by the late Millard Fuller, Habitat seeks to eliminate poverty housing, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Its is headquartered in Americus, Georgia, USA. Habitat for Humanity works with people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need. Habitat has built or improved more than 400,000 homes worldwide, providing safe and affordable shelter for more than 2 million people (as of June 2011).

2. How Many People Has Habitat for Humanity Helped?

Since its founding in 1976, Habitat for Humanity has built, repaired, rehabilitated or improved more than 400,000 homes around the world, providing more than 2 million people in thousands of communities in countries and territories across six continents with safe and affordable shelter (as of July 2011).

3. How Long Has Habitat or Humanity Been Working In India?

Habitat for Humanity India began operations in 1983 with the construction of its first house, in the Asia Pacific region, at Khammam, Andhra Pradesh. On completion of 28 years, over 180,000 people have benefitted through over 36,000 safe and decent houses built or repaired by Habitat. Every year thousands of more families are helped with repairs, and financial and technical assistance. In addition, more than 13000 families have benefited from Habitat programs to help victims of the 2004 Asian tsunami.

4. Where Does Habitat for Humanity Operate In India?

Habitat for Humanity operates through Habitat Resource Centers in Bangalore, Chennai, New Delhi and Mumbai. New partnerships with corporate supporters and NGO partners extend Habitat's presence to the rest of India. Habitat delivers its programs through NGO partnerships and direct implementation.

5. What is Former US President Jimmy Carter's Role with Habitat for Humanity?

Every year since 1984, former US president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jimmy Carter has donated one week of his time – and his building skills – to Habitat. Each year, he and his wife Rosalynn lead a major building event which attracts thousands of volunteers. In November 2009 the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project took place at sites in northern Thailand, southwestern China, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. The .Mekong Build. marked the fourth time the former US president and his wife had built with Habitat for Humanity in Asia. Previous Carter Work Projects were held in India in 2006, in South Korea in 2001 and in the Philippines in 1999. The Carter Work Project will be held in Haiti in November 2011, rebuilding after the massive 7.0 earthquake which struck the Caribbean nation in 2010.

6.What is John Abraham doing for Habitat For Humanity?

John Abraham is HFH India's Goodwill Ambassador and Global Habitat Hero. As a Habitat Hero, John Abraham uses his influence and reaches around the world to advocate on behalf of those in need of decent shelter and also helps raise resources for Habitat to achieve its vision

7. What is John Abraham's Brigade?

John Abraham invites you, and anyone like you who cares to contribute to Habitat's work in India by joining his brigade. Any person, of any gender or caste can join the Brigade by filling up a simple form that is available

8. How Can I Contribute to John Abraham’s Brigade?

As an individual, you can support JA's Brigade by
1.	Volunteering at the various 'Builds' we have in India. This means you will be physically helping in the construction site, doing any job that you can and are capable of doing.
2.	Donating amounts as small as Rs. 1000/- or any larger amount (in multiples of 1000/-)
3.	By being a member of Johns Brigade on Facebook and making your friends/acquaintances aware of Habitat and the work that they do in the area of poverty housing

As a Corporate, you can support JA's Brigade by

1.	Sending your employees as Volunteers to the various 'Builds' we have in India. This means they will be physically helping in the construction site, doing any job that they can and are capable of doing for durations as short as ½ a day
2.	Donating money as small as Rs. 10000 or more, you will be provided a receipt and all donations are exempt under the 80G guidelines of the Indian Income Tax Act
3.	By providing Gifts in kind, like cement, steel, other construction material, equipment, food and beverages at the builds etc
4.	Partner with Habitat with media, donating gifts for the volunteers or any other idea that you feel will assist HFH make more homes for greater numbers of less fortunate citizens of India.
5.	Conduct fund raising activities viz. a Cause Related Marketing activity and donate the proceeds to Habitat.
6.	Support through your foundation/trust/CSR, the cost of construction of homes
7.	Provide Talent, Networking, Referrals, Space, etc for facilitating Habitat’s activities

9. Will John Abraham be there at all the builds?

The 'builds' are primarily to give poor families a decent place they can call home and spread awareness and garner support. John, despite his busy schedule, does try to be there whenever he can. This is a 'voluntary' service on his part and we cannot assure his presence at each build. There will however be rewarding recognitions, and we will inform you of these from time to time.

10. How Does Habitat for Humanity's "No Profit" Housing Work?

Habitat believes the best way to tackle poverty is to work with families in need and provide a hand up not a hand out. Habitat gives interest free loans to families in need . Families repay through affordable, no-profit mortgage loans. Monthly mortgage payments go into a local revolving fund to be used to build still more Habitat homes. In short, Habitat for Humanity is not a giveaway program.
Partner families also invest hundreds of hours of their own labor –sweat equity (shramdaah) – into building their Habitat house and the houses of others. Prospective homeowners are selected based on their level of need, their ability to repay the loan and their willingness to work in partnership with Habitat. Costs are kept down through the use of volunteer labor, and because of donations of money and materials.

11. Why do Families have to Contribute “Sweat Equity?”

Habitat for Humanity is not a giveaway program. Each homeowner family is required to invest many hours of "sweat equity" into the construction of their home or a Habitat program. This allows homeowners to work alongside neighbors and volunteers, increasing the pride of ownership and fostering the development of positive relationships within a community.

12. How Are Would-Be Partner Families Selected?

Partner organizations propose 'would-be' families from which Habitat selects the homeowners based on their level of need, their ability to repay the loan and their willingness to work in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Habitat follows a non-discriminatory policy of family selection. Neither caste nor religion is a factor in choosing families to become Habitat homeowners.

13. How Much Does A Habitat House Cost?

It depends! The total cost of a basic new home can be Rs. 1.2 Lakh. Mortgage length is five years. Costs depend on location, labor, land and material costs, and ancillary development expenses. A family may choose to take a small mortgage so they can build a new home in stages or renovate and repair an existing property.

14. Why Use Housing Microfinance?

Housing microfinance schemes, whether operated by Habitat or specialist microfinance partner groups, allow more families to build or repair homes more speedily. It is ideal for families, such as those reliant on seasonal work, who otherwise would not meet conventional criteria for a Habitat home. Often poor families take out a small first loan to build the first stage of a new home or to make crucial renovations or repairs to an existing property. Once the loan is repaid, a new loan can be taken out to finance subsequent stages of the work.
In order to reach more families, Habitat for Humanity is establishing a fund to offer capital to microfinance institutions across the world to provide housing-related loans as an addition to the portfolio of products and services they offer. One initiative in this strategy involves Habitat for Humanity India and investment partners offering funding to local microfinance organizations to help more than 60,000 families improve their housing conditions over the coming three years.

15. Why Does Habitat Work with Microfinance Partner Organizations?

Habitat works with established microfinance groups which wish to offer their members the opportunity to improve their housing conditions. Typically, Habitat organizes the design, building, renovation or repair of the homes while the partner group is responsible for collecting the mortgage loan repayments and other aspects of community development. Working with microfinance partners allows Habitat to focus on what it does best – construction and volunteer mobilization to help families in need. Partnerships allow Habitat to leverage its donors’ funds and thereby serve more families. They also relieve Habitat of many of the risks associated with managing loan portfolios. Microfinance partners benefit by being able to extend their range of products beyond regular loans for improving families’ livelihoods, education, health and other support.

16. How are the houses constructed?

HFH houses are constructed with locally available materials that are appropriate to the country and region. House costs are kept low by using locally contributed materials and volunteer labour. Homeowners are required to help in the construction of their new home as well as those of other HFH homeowners in the community.

17. What Is A Habitat Resource Center?

A Habitat Resource Center(HRC) broadens the reach of Habitat for Humanity's mission and home-building programs. An HRC should be considered as a network of expertise rather than a physical location. Centers provide expertise in one or more of such areas as project and construction management; appropriate technology including the production of low-cost, high-quality building materials; and providing construction skills training for local people. They also respond to disasters and provide housing microfinance expertise. Services are available to Habitat partner organizations as well as Habitat homeowners. HRCs have been established in Bangalore, Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai.

18. What Partners Does Habitat Work With?

Habitat works with any group that shares Habitat for Humanity's vision of a world where everyone has a safe, decent and affordable place to call home. Partner organizations contribute expertise, financial resources, or both, and often volunteer labor to strengthen the impact of Habitat's programs. HFH partners with other NGOs and community development groups involved with income generating projects, health initiatives or training. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)and government-linked bodies, contribute services and facilities that Habitat home partner families need to live fully transformed lives in thriving and secure communities. In coordination with other organizations, HFH provides resources and expertise in alleviating critical housing needs. Government partnerships provide land and infrastructure for affiliates. International corporations, local businesses and concerned individuals sponsor houses, participate in special events or come together to help build houses along with members of the local community.

19. What is the role of NGO Partners?

Habitat for Humanity traditionally carries out its work though NGO Partners -- independent, locally-run, non-profit, community-level groups. These organizations would be carrying out various programmes in health, education, women's emancipation etc, in the communities, to which Habitat brings in its housing component, which helps make their development initiatives more holistic. They help the home owners secure building sites, organize mortgage services as well as assist Habitat in monitoring and implementing the housing project.

20. How Does An NGO Partner Get Associated?

Habitat is a grass-roots movement. Anyone who wants to explore the possibility of eliminating poverty housing in his or her community is encouraged to contact Habitat's national office for information.

21. What Is A National Office?

Habitat's work in a country is co-ordinated and supported by a national Habitat office, staffed by experts in construction technology, financial management, marketing and fund raising. National offices are legally separate entities managed by volunteer boards. A national board operates in a covenant relationship with HFHI .

22. How Does Habitat Make Use Of Volunteers?

Habitat is well known for the tangible, "hands-on" construction experience it offers tens of thousands of volunteers each year. The "muscle" volunteers provide means homes can be built at considerably lower costs. More importantly, the experience transforms lives: both for the volunteers who work alongside Habitat home partners and for partner families who see that there are "outsiders" who care enough to help them break the cycle of poverty. Build teams may come from within a country or from overseas. Individual volunteers are also invited to work in non-construction roles and as interns.

23. What is a build? / How much time does one build take?

A build is an actual construction of the house on the site. Volunteers need to contribute their unskilled labour under the supervision of skilled masons and Habitat staff. A typical build is a 5 day programme. A shorter build could be for a day or two.

24. What Is Global Village?

Global Village is Habitat's principal overseas volunteer program. Global Village offers volunteers the opportunity to take part in the "hands-on" construction or renovation of houses in more than 40 countries around the world, 15 of which are in the Asia-Pacific region. Teams of 10-25 volunteers travel to their chosen host country to build in partnership with local people, learn about local housing needs and become a part of their host's community. Global Village trips typically last five days to two weeks. Volunteers experience a unique camaraderie and build lasting friendships with fellow team members, and with Habitat home partner families.

25. How Does Habitat for Humanity Engage Young People?

Habitat encourages young people to promote creative and responsible ways to support Habitat's mission. Student- or youth-run Habitat chapters organize events to educate their campuses and local communities about affordable housing issues and the work of Habitat for Humanity; they raise funds; and also take part in building activities either locally or through Global Village trips. There are more than 900 chapters operating in 30 countries and territories; some 40 chapters operate in the Asia-Pacific region.

26. Who Volunteers For Habitat?

Anyone who is above the age of 14 years and can hold a hammer or a bucket or a paint brush is welcome. Build teams hail from business corporations, schools and colleges, civic groups and other organizations. Individuals also volunteer to work in Habitat offices and at times serve on the Board. The emphasis is not on what you can do, but on your availability and desire to work alongside a future homeowner who has obviously shown their need, and demonstrated their desire to partner with Habitat and our work within the community.

27. Why Does Habitat for Humanity Respond to Disasters?

The poor and the marginalized — families always Habitat for Humanity seeks to serve — are particularly vulnerable to disasters and conflicts. What few assets they have — a rudimentary home, a few household items, tools for making a basic living — are often lost. Even better-off families suddenly find themselves facing great hardship in the wake of a catastrophe. Across the Asia-Pacific region, Habitat for Humanity is involved from the earliest opportunity after a disaster. Habitat teams make assessment visits, and facilitate discussions with government authorities and local and international relief and development agencies as crucial decisions are made about

28. What Natural Or Man-made Disasters Has Habitat for Humanity responded To?

Habitat has an ongoing program to help victims of the mudslide and flash floods in Leh, Jammu & Kashmir, Andhra Pardesh Floods and Bihar Floods. Habitat for Humanity India has built more than 13000 houses in the tsunami hit areas. Habitat has responded to the 2008 floods in Bihar and in 2005, Habitat responded to the flood situation in Maharashtra, at Mahad and Kalyan. In addition to this, Habitat worked to rebuild homes and lives post the 2001 earthquake in the State of Gujarat and the super cyclone of 1999, in the State of Orissa.

29. What Is Habitat For Humanity's Approach To Responding To Disasters?

Habitat for Humanity focuses on working with local communities and governments to provide a range of shelter options for those whose lives have been afflicted by a disaster. Habitat’s approach is to create a pathway to permanent housing. This may take many months or years to achieve.

Interventions may start early such as distributing clean-up and emergency shelter kits even though Habitat does not operate as a relief agency. Other response include creating transitional shelters (homes made of materials that can be reused in a more permanent structure) or .core. or incremental building whereby a basic house is built, say with one room, which can be expanded later as family circumstances allow. Repairs, rehabilitations and new constructions are all possible. Habitat may help the same family several times on that pathway to a permanent home and a rebuilt life. Habitat involves local communities in design and rebuilding, and prefers to rebuild homes on existing foundations or within a family’s existing community rather than relocating people to new sites. Habitat’s approach focuses on providing technical assistance and project management expertise. Funding comes from appeals, and governments and partner groups engaged in disaster response.

Many families lose their livelihoods in a disaster so, unlike in regular Habitat programs, they are not in a position to repay mortgage loans. However, families are encouraged to contribute .sweat equity. in rebuilding their homes and communities. In addition, projects are designed so family members can earn money, for example, working on Habitat construction sites.

Habitat for Humanity seeks to mitigate or reduce not only the devastating effect of a disaster, but also to protect families and strengthen homes against future calamities. This mitigation work takes the form of rebuilding to higher standards with quality materials and designs as well as strengthening the structures of existing homes, technical training, and teaching families and communities how best to prepare for and respond to a disaster.

30. How is Habitat for Humanity funded?

Habitat for Humanity India raises funds by donors in the country as well as International, who are concerned with the devastating effects that sub-standard housing imposes on the health, security and well-being of children and families. Nonetheless, Habitat for Humanity is not a give-away program. Homeowners are required to pay back the loan extended to them for their houses, albeit interest free. These re- payments go into a revolving Fund called the 'Fund for Humanity, which is used to fund the construction of more houses in the community.

31. How Are Donations Distributed And Used?

Habitat for Humanity India accepts donations in cash and in kind .All donations are used for the purpose as designated by the donor. Incases where the donations are undesignated these are used where needed.

32. How Can I Become A Volunteer?

To volunteer, contact your local Habitat Resource Centre or National office on vpindia@hfhindia.org

33. How Else Can I Help?

Get involved! Join a Habitat "build". Volunteer with Habitat. Participate in a Habitat fund-raising event. Contribute financially to Habitat for Humanity India. Encourage your employer to donate funds, building materials or labor. Contact the Habitat National Office and arrange a speaker for audiences to visit your friends, your company, your civic group. And Habitat needs people to help construct homes, to serve on committees and to spread the word.

34. Where Can I Find Out More?

Habitat for Humanity India
303, Dhanthak Plaza,
Makwana Road, Marol,
Andheri (E), Mumbai -59
Tel No. : 29209851/52
Fax No.: 29209854
Email Id: info@hfhindia.org

Habitat for Humanity, Asia-Pacific Office

Q. House, 8th Floor, 38 Convent Road, Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand
Tel : +66-(0)2-632-0415, +66-(0)2-632-0415
Fax : +66-(0)2-632-0445
E-mail: AP_info@habitat.org

Asia-Pacific Area Satellite Office

56 Lorong 23 Geylang
Century Technology Building #05-00
Singapore 388381
Tel: +65 6744-7326, +65 6744-7326
Fax: +65 6844-5383

International Headquarters

121 Habitat Street, Americus
Georgia 31709-3498 USA
Tel: +1-229-924-6935, +1-229-924-6935
E-mail: publicinfo@habitat.org
Web site: www.habitat.org