About Us

Habitat for Humanity of Westchester is an affiliate of an international Christian housing ministry.

Habitat for Humanity International was founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller and is headquartered in Americus, Georgia. The Westchester affiliate was established in 1988, and The Rev. Robert Osgood, pastor of the Pleasantville United Methodist Church, became the first president.

The concept of the organization is simple. Christians share an abundance, making available a portion of their resources for construction of modest, well-built homes for the poor. Building costs are kept to a minimum through volunteer labor, including that of the prospective owner, gifts of land, and donations from contractors, tradesmen, corporations and individuals.

For more information on HFH of Westchester, see the FAQ section below, or click here to learn more about the history of HFH of Westchester.

Habitat for Humanity of Westchester is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, the not-for-profit, ecumenical Christian housing minsitry. HFH of Westchester is an organization of thousands of volunteers who seek to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness throughout Westchester County, and to make decent, affordable shelter a matter of conscience and public action. Habitat invites people from all walks of life to work together in partnership to build houses with families in need. Started in 1989, Habitat's Westchester County affiliate is one over 1000 active affiliates in all 50 U.S states.

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Through volunteer labor and tax-deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of homeowner (partner) families. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit, financed with affordable, no-interest loans. The homeowners' monthly mortgage payments go into a revolving fund that is used to build more houses.

Habitat is not a give-away program. In addition to a down payment and the monthly mortgage payments, each homeowner family invests hundreds of hours of their own labor --sweat equity -- into the building of their house and/or the houses of others.

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Typically in Westchester County, a new three-bedroom Habitat house cost the homeowner between $70,000 and $100,000 depending on costs of land, labor and materials, or less than half the sale price of similar commercially built homes in the Tri-State area. Habitat houses are affordable for low-income families because their is no profit included in the sale price and no interest charged on the mortgage. The average length of a Habitat mortgage in Westchester County is 20 years.

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Families apply to local Habitat affiliates. A Family Selection Committee then chooses prospective homeowners based on their level of need, their willingness to become partners in the program and their ability to repay the loan. Every affiliate follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing the families that receive Habitat homes.

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Habitat in Westchester follows the guidelines and policies set forth by HFH International and the volunteer boards of directors and advisors, which determine policy and monitor operations. In Westchester, dedicated local volunteers deeply concerned with the problems of poverty and housing in the region make up this affiliate's board of directors, set its goals and manage its activities.

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Since its incorporation as a non-profit organization in 1988, Habitat of Westchester has made great strides in its mission of building decent, safe, affordable housing across the country. Habitat has gained the trust of both local governments and community residents by puting money, materials, and muscle to the task, and by doing exactly what it has said it will accomplish.

By its 10th anniversary in 1998, Habitat will have built or have under construction three two-family homes in White Plains, single-faily homes in New Rochelle, Ossining, Yorktown, Mamaroneck, Mount Vernon, one rehab in Greenburg and five rehabs in Yonkers -- all at prices local governments and private developers could never match. Building on this growing momentum in Westchester County, Habitat has set its new goals to secure land rights, raise the funding and begin construction on ten additional homes over the next year.

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Donations, whether to a local affiliate or to HFH International, are used as designated by the donor. Gifts received by Habitat headquarters that are designated to a specific affiliate or project area are forwarded to that area. Any undesignated gifts are used where most needed in the U.S. or overseas, and for administrative expenses. Financial statements from HFH International or its Westchester affiliate are available upon request.

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Habitat does not accept government funds for the construction of new houses or for the renovation or repair of existing homes. Habitat does accept government funds for the acquisition of land or houses in need of rehabilitation. Habitat also accepts government funds for streets, utilities, and administrative expenses, as long as the funds have no strings attached that would violate Habitat's principles or limit its ability to fulfill its Christian mission of helping others.

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While on occasion parcels of land are purchased directly from private owners, most Habitat properties are purchased from municipalities. Often these lots or houses are idle and unwanted, in parts of towns which have fallen on hard times, or in odd locations such as hillsides or industrial zones going through a renaissance. Habitat works with local governments to secure titles to such lots, usually at a very low price (sometimes even for $1.00). Then Habitat rehabilitates the lot, clearing or adding as necessary, to make the property safe and suitable for a new home. Local governments have become increasingly appreciative of the miracles Habitat works in transforming eye-sore properties in to decent, affordable and attractive homes.

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Many companies and individuals give both materials and money to build a Habitat home. Often local corporations sponsor construction of a complete home, and provide work teams from their employees. Schools and churches do the same, sponsoring a build as a group outreach effort. Similarly, small contractors often give windows, doors, flooring, roofing or siding as their part to help in the community. And many tradesmen donate both materials and installation services, such as roofers, electricians, plumbers, and kitchen speialists.

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Click here or on Volunteer & Donate on the toolbar to the left and follow the instructions. HFH of Westchester is always in a constant need for volunteers so there is always something that you can help with. If you would like to get involved in a specific committee, you can find information on what the committees do on this section as well.

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Habitat for Humanity invites you to join in the exciting partnership of building houses with people in need. Help raise a roof for a neighbor.