A hand up, not a hand out.
Welcome to Herkimer County Habitat for Humanity!
About Habitat
Herkimer County Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit corporation that seeks to eliminate poverty housing. We are a volunteer organization that relies heavily on local support. Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent homes in partnership with our selected families. Our affiliate follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing the families who receive Habitat houses.
Herkimer County Habitat has two primary goals:
1. building or rehabbing homes for families in need, and2. assisting with small works projects for qualified homeowners.
Building and Rehabilitating Homes
How are partner families selected?
Families in need of decent shelter apply to Herkimer Habitat during open application periods.
The affiliate’s family selection committee chooses potential homeowners on the basis of:
- housing need
- willingness to become partners in the program
- ability to repay a home mortgage
What are the responsibilities of partner families once selected?
Families must contribute at least 500 hours of "sweat equity" toward the project
Partners fully repay a low interest mortgage attained with the assistance of Herkimer Habitat for Humanity
Small Works Projects
What is a small works project and who qualifies?
Herkimer County Habitat completes Small Works Projects each year. These projects are limited to the cost of materials not to exceed $3.000. Qualified homeowners must meet Habitat income guidelines. Since all work is completed by volunteers, homeowners will be required to repay the cost of materials not to exceed $100 per month.
Priority is given to projects that affect a home's:
- structural integrity
- heating
- plumbing
- safety
- accessibility