Habitat for Humanity International was started in Americus, GA., in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller. Habitat International has built more than 150,000 homes around the world.

Contrary to popular opinion, Habitat was not founded by former President Jimmy Carter. President Carter and his wife are well known Habitat volunteers only.

More information about Habitat for Humanity International is available at the HFHI website. You can click here to go to their website.

Mountain Spirit Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry seeking to eliminate substandard housing for low income people in Park County. The ministry of Habitat is to provide simple, decent, affordable housing to those who would not qualify or be able to afford a conventional mortgage. The Habitat program is about home ownership, a long-term solution designed to break the poverty cycle. We invite people from all walks of life to work together to build houses with families in need.

Mountain Spirit Habitat for Humanity is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International that is governed by its own board of directors. We operate under a covenant relationship with Habitat International

Habitat for Humanity is not a charitable or a give-away program. Habitat for Humanity builds houses with Park County families in need. Volunteer labor is used to build houses to keep building costs low for Habitat families. Partner families pay a down payment and a monthly interest-free mortgage payment. They also invest hundreds of hours of their own labor "sweat equity" into building their own houses and the houses of others. As Habitat homeowners pay their mortgages, the money goes into a revolving fund that helps build houses with other families. Mountain Spirit Habitat for Humanity gives 10 percent of contributions to Habitat for Humanity International to help build houses in Mexico.

We advertise for and accept applications from local families. Our Family Selection committee reviews the applications and chooses families based on need, their willingness to become partners in the program, and their ability to repay the no-interest mortgage. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing partner families.

We have completed five homes in Powell in a five-lot development at Hamilton and Adams. We have completed three homes in Cody and have a subdivision that will eventually hold twenty-five more homes. We continue to look for land in Park County and hope to obtain more land in Powell.

The typical house built by Mountain Spirit Habitat for Humanity has approximately 1,000 square feet of finished living area. Most houses have two or three bedrooms and one bathroom. These houses do not have garages or carports. They are affordable to low-income families because there is no profit included in the sale of the house and no interest charged on the mortgage. The mortgages are financed over 20 to 30 years. The average cost is about $80,000.00 to $99,000.00.

We receive contributions from individuals, businesses, foundations, churches, while also applying for various grants that are available both from the private sector and from the goverment.

Mountain Spirit Habitat for Humanity applies for and accepts government grants for the construction, renovation, land acquisition and development, and administrative expenses, so long as the funds have no conditions that would violate Habitat's principles or limit its ability to proclaim its Christian witness.

Over time, a families equity in their home increases. Habitat families also often see an improvement in their financial situation since the percentage of their income being spent on housing remains at 30%. In most cases, prior to purchasing a Habitat home, these families are spending over 50% of their net income on rent.

A safe, healthy living environment contributes to the positive growth and development of children.

Communities benefit as former renters become homeowners who contribute to the tax base. Habitat build projects also offer an opportunity for community members to come together and work side by side in a meaningful way.

As the poverty cycle is broken, and a family's financial situation improves, their dependence on local social services is decreased. In addition, pride of ownership leads to a renewed sense of confidence, and along with their stable, long-term housing arrangement, they become long-term contributors to the community and the local economy.

The Habitat mortgage is designed to keep monthly payments low, encourage long-term commitment and prevent short-term profit. This is done by way of a second mortgage. The first mortgage reflects the actual cost of the house, which is usually far less than it's fair market value. The second mortgage reflects the difference between the actual cost and the fair market value. Upon full payment of the first mortgage, the second mortgage is forgiven. The value of the second mortgage also decreases gradually over time, usually beginning at the five year mark.

Habitat makes every effort to work with the homeowner families to become responsible for their debt. The Family Support Committee establishes a long term relationship with each family and mentors them in such areas as financial management and budgeting, and basic home maintenance and repairs.