Who We Are
Habitat for Humanity of Tennessee (HFHT) a statewide organization supporting the 52 Habitat for Humanity affiliates who serve 62 counties in our state.
Who We Are
 Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. We seek to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.
Habitat was founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller and his wife, Linda. Today, we have built over 300,000 houses around the world, providing more than 1.5 million people in 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter.
Habitat serves a low income family somewhere around the world every 10 minutes through new house construction, major rehabilitation and house repairs.
Habitat Works!
Habitat for Humanity was ranked as the largest private homebuilder in the United States and the 11th largest overall homebuilder according to Builder magazine‘s 2008 Builder 100 list.
HFHI has over 1400 affiliates in the US.
Each affiliate is an independently run, nonprofit organization working under the umbrella of Habitat for Humanity International.
Habitat affiliates are governed by a local Board of Directors composed of volunteers who represent various aspects of their community. The Board is supported by various committees such as, Family Selection, Family Support, Fundraising, Faith Relations, Public Relations, Site Selection, Construction, and Audit Committees.
HFHT District Structure - Habitat in Tennessee
Habitat has had a presence in Tennessee for 30 years. Our first affiliate was Appalachia Habitat who serves Morgan and Scott counties!!
Our affiliates built 212 houses in 2008, adding over $18,698,400 to the tax base in Tennessee!!
Our affiliates build twice the national state average of Habitat for Humanity houses!!
There are 27 Habitat Restores in Tennessee engaging the community to donate and recycle to free up our landfills!!
We will build our 3000th house in 2010!!
Habitat Model
 Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses alongside our homeowner (partner) families. Habitat is not a giveaway program. In addition to a down payment and monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor (sweat equity) into building their Habitat house and the houses of others. They also attend mandatory homeowner counseling.
Who We Serve
Homeowners are selected based on their need for housing, their ability to repay a mortgage and their willingness to work in partnership with Habitat.
Habitat does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion or national origin. We follow all fair housing laws.
How it’s possible
 Houses are sold through a no-profit mortgage, no interest or fees are charged. Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials from individuals, corporations, government, faith groups and others provide vital financial support. Homeowners and volunteers build under trained supervision
Habitat is able to make housing affordable to low and very low income families because:
Habitat Revolving Fund – Mortgage Payments
Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with 0% mortgage loans.
Mortgages range from 20-30 years depending on the partner families affordability.
The average Habitat house costs $63,000 to build.
The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are used to build still more Habitat houses.
The Need is Huge
41% of households who rent spend over 30% of their income on housing.
Importance of clean, decent, and stable housing
- Families can provide stability for their children.
- A family’s sense of dignity and pride grow.
- Health, physical safety, and security improve
- Educational and job prospects increase.
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