Western Lake Superior Habitat for Humanity builds hope one
home at a time, making simple, decent shelter a matter of
conscience and action for all of God's people.

At WLSHFH we follow the core tenants of the Habitat for Humanity
model that has served to break the cycle of poverty for 32 partner
families in Carlton, Lake, and Southern St. Louis Counties.

We offer the opportunity of homeownership to low-income
individuals and families earning 30% to 60% of area median
income. We do not charge interest according to Exodus 22:25 "If
you lend money to My people, to the poor among you, you are not
to act as a creditor to him; you shall not charge him interest.

We expect that our partner families participate in the construction
of theirs and others homes in the form of 300 hours of sweat
equity. Not only does this build pride in ownership by providing a
direct connection to their work (Isaiah 65:22), it teaches skills that
will serve them well as a future homeowner.

We build and repair homes in partnership with our community.
Volunteers provide the majority of the labor and funding
necessary to construct a simple, decent, affordable home. We
offer an opportunity to our faith into action, as Matthew 25:40 tells
us “I tell you with certainty, since you did it for one of the least
important of these brothers of mine, you did it for me.' Koinonia
founder Clarence Jordan explained the concept behind
partnership housing when he said ” What the poor need is not
charity but capital, not caseworkers but co-workers.”

At Western Lake Superior Habitat for Humanity individuals from
all walks of life come together to provide a hand up from poverty
and learn from each other. Homeownership provides the stability
and rich soil from which our children may grow into all God
intended.


The Parrot Family’s simple, decent, affordable home in Lincoln Park,
Duluth was completed in December 2008 with generous support from
ThriventBuilds and the Duluth area chapter of Thrivent Financial for
Lutherans. We thank them for their support!

If you would like to volunteer your time and resources this
summer to our build site in Cloquet please call (218) 722-3875 or
email us at
hfhduluth@yahoo.com
















































Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller.  
It is an ecumenical, nonprofit Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating
sub-standard housing and homelessness worldwide by making the issue
of decent, affordable housing a matter of conscience and action.  

Habitat for Humanity welcomes people of all backgrounds, races, and
faiths to help build homes in partnership with families in need.

Habitat has build over 200,000 homes worldwide, providing more than a
million people with a decent place to call home.

Habitat for Humanity operates through local, independently managed
affiliates all over the world.  Western Lake Superior Habitat for
Humanity serves Carlton, Lake, and Southern St. Louis Counties in the
state of Minnesota.


MISSION STATEMENT

Western Lake Superior Habitat for Humanity builds hope one home at a
time, making simple, decent shelter a matter of conscience and action
for all of God's people.

*If you would like to schedule a Habitat presentation for your
church, business, school or other organization please call  722-
3875 or email info@habitatduluth.org


MYTHS & TRUTHS

MYTH:  Habitat for Humanity gives houses away to poor people.

TRUTH:  Houses are not given to anyone. Habitat for Humanity builds
houses with people in need and then sells the houses to homeowner
partners through no-profit loans. Because houses are built principally by
volunteers, mortgage payments can be kept reasonable to those unable
to obtain conventional financing. Habitat homeowners typically have
incomes that are 30 percent to 50 percent of the median income in the
area. They are required to invest hundreds of hours in “sweat equity”—
that is, time spent building their own home or other Habitat houses.

MYTH:  You have to be a Christian to become a Habitat homeowner.

TRUTH:  Habitat for Humanity was founded as and unashamedly
remains a Christian ministry. However, homeowners are chosen without
regard to race, creed or nationality—following the requirements of the
law as well as Habitat’s belief that God’s love extends to all. Habitat also
welcomes volunteers from all faiths—or no faith—who actively embrace
the goal of eliminating poverty housing from the world.

MYTH:  Habitat houses lower neighborhood property values.

TRUTH:  Many studies of low-cost housing show that affordable
housing has no adverse effect on other neighborhood
property values. Habitat firmly believes its approach to affordable
housing improves neighborhoods and communities
by strengthening community spirit and increasing the tax
base while building better citizens through the cooperative
efforts involved in Habitat construction.

MYTH:  Habitat for Humanity is an arm of the government.

TRUTH:  Habitat for Humanity International is an independent,
nonprofit Christian housing ministry. It is not an arm of the government,
nor an arm of any particular church denomination. Habitat does accept
government funds for the acquisition of land or houses in need of
rehabilitation.  Habitat also accepts government funds or services for
“setting the stage” for house building—e.g., streets, utilities and
administrative services.

MYTH: Habitat for Humanity was started by former U.S. President Jimmy
Carter.

TRUTH: Habitat for Humanity International was started in Americus, Ga.,
in 1976 by Millard Fuller, along with his wife,
Linda. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, are
longtime Habitat supporters and volunteers who help bring national and
international attention to the organization’s house-building work. They
lead the annual Jimmy Carter Work Project to help build houses and
raise awareness of the need for affordable housing. Since the first work
project in 1984, more than 2,000 houses have been built in conjunction
with JCWP events.





"Myths & Truths" taken from the Habitat for Humanity International website.
About Us
-        ANNOUNCEMENT –
Western Lake Superior Habitat for Humanity
And Home Give Away Programs

The Board of Directors of Western Lake Superior Habitat for Humanity desires to inform
our supporters of Habitat for Humanity’s mission and purpose in light of the news that a
national Home Giveaway program is coming to the Twin Ports in August.  First, we
celebrate with the family that will be chosen to receive a new house.  As part of an
organization that has built over 300,000 houses around the world, providing more than 1.5
million people in 3,000 communities with affordable shelter, we understand how having a
safe, well built home can change their lives forever.  We also want to encourage everyone
to consider supporting local efforts to build homes with deserving families this summer.

As we applaud the generosity and spirit of giving that home give away programs tap into
we would also like to highlight the different opportunities our programs offer.  

According to a story aired by WDIO TV the Home Makeover build will involve the following:

-        There will be a need for between 600-700 volunteers
-        The total estimated cost of the project is $1.6 million dollars.
-        The appr. 2,300 sq. foot house will be constructed using donated labor and
materials.
-        The project will be completed in 106 hours.

When the project is completed the deserving family is handed the keys to their new home
and will assume payments for utilities and property taxes .

Western Lake Superior Habitat for Humanity builds and repairs simple decent homes in
partnership with low-income families looking to break the cycle of poverty and build equity
for themselves and their children’s future.  

Habitat for Humanity builds modest 1,200 square foot energy-efficient homes that
incorporate the following:

-        Dozens of volunteers that work alongside the future homeowners.
-        An average cost per house of about $90,000.
-        The use of donated materials and labor from local and national vendors and trade
groups.
-        A “Sweat Equity” requirement in which the partner family is required to perform 300
hours of labor where they learn about their new home and build pride in ownership.
-        When the house is completed our partner family is handed the keys to their new
home for which they will make modest payments not to exceed 30% of income on a no-
interest mortgage held by Western Lake Superior Habitat for Humanity.

Western Lake Superior Habitat for Humanity builds hope one home at a time, making
simple, decent shelter a matter of conscience and action for all of God's people.

We would invite you to join with us in changing the lives of our partner families not just in
primetime but for a lifetime.
Please go to: http://www.habitatduluth.org or call 218-722-3875 to volunteer or to make a
donation.

God’s blessings’

Pastor Jim Hagen
President of the Board - Western Lake Superior Habitat for Humanity