Habitat for Humanity of Omaha's Mission Statement

Building homes and building lives through the partnership of our community's spiritual and material resources.

History and Facts

• Incorporated in the state of Nebraska and affiliated with Habitat for Humanity International in 1984.
  
  
• Is a non-profit Christian housing organization dedicated to the elimination of substandard housing.
  
  
• Completed 16 homes in 2006.
  
  
• Will complete 21 new or renovated homes in Omaha by the end of 2007.
  
  
• Sells the homes to buyers with no interest and no profit.
  
  
• Requires 350 hours of sweat equity in place of a large downpayment.
  
  
• Serves families whose income is 30 to 50% of median in the Omaha area.
  
  
• Uses no government money for building expenses (only for lot preparation).
  
  
• Issues and maintains loans for homeowners for a 25 to 30 year pay off period.
  
  
• Uses the cash flow from mortgages to build more houses.
  
  
• Relies on volunteers for much of the construction and family support.
  
  
• Employs 14 full and part-time staff members with 12 AmeriCorps and VISTA volunteers.
  
  
• Has added $9,555,430 to the tax base in Omaha with over $195,000 in property taxes paid in 2006.
  
  
• Collects monthly mortgage payments from buyers that are typically between $400 and $600, depending on house size (includes taxes and insurance).
  
  
• Prepares buyers for homeownership through required training sessions (budgeting, home repair, insurance, legal issues, etc.)
  
  
• Repossessed only five homes sold to buyers in the history of the organization.
  
  
• Families from all cultural backgrounds are living in substandard housing. Habitat has built homes for African-American, Caucasian, Latino and Sudanese families in Omaha.
  
  
• Reached our 200 home benchmark in 2005.