Habitat for Humanity is an international organization that works to eliminate sub-standard housing, and our Facebook followers wanted to know how they could become a part of it
MARQUETTE -- Every year, Habitat for Humanity volunteers build homes across the Upper Peninsula. It's really easy to not only volunteer, but become a Habitat homeowner yourself.
Lana Tappy is about to put the finishing touches on her new home in Marquette. This Habitat homeowner is ready to move her family in next week after more than a year of construction.
"We just decided one day that we were just tired of renting, we wanted to have our own house, we wanted to be able to maintain a yard," says Tappy.
Becoming a homeowner through Habitat for Humanity was easier than she thought. The main thing you need to know about Habitat is that anyone can apply. You must have a steady, low income, and be willing to work on your own house. It's also required that you already be living in somewhat sub-standard housing.
"It's a simple application," says Mike Shimon, Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity of Marquette County. "We screen every applicant, a committee reviews them, they interview the family and within 30 days, normally, the family would know whether or not they are selected."
And arguably one of the biggest misconceptions about Habitat for Humanity is who pays for the home itself.
"The Habitat house is 100 percent paid for by the family," Shimon adds. "We are the mortgage company, so if it takes us $100,000 to build a house, $100,000 gets paid back by the family."
Eric Johnson posted on our Facebook page, "I would gladly help someone else build a house if I would then be eligible for a house of my own."
Well Eric, that's not exactly the way it works, but Habitat for Humanity is always looking for volunteers.
All of the donated labor and materials are what helps keep costs down for the eventual homeowner.
"Being that we've built it ourselves with help, so many volunteers helping us, that I think us going into this, we have more of a sense of pride and accomplishment," Tappy adds.
Several of you also posted on our Facebook page, asking about the Habitat ReStore. The fundraising concept for Habitat for Humanity allows people to donate leftover building materials that are then sold to customers, with all profits going to Habitat.
Click here for a list of ReStore locations in Michigan.
Click here for a complete list of contact information for all Habitat for Humanity locations in the Upper Peninsula.
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