About Habitat for Humanity of Collier County
Habitat for Humanity of Collier County is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization operated on Christian principles that seeks to put God’s love into action by building homes, communities and hope.
Habitat for Humanity of Collier County is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions.
Our Vision
Our vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
Our Mission
Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.
Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have at least a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all.
All Are Welcome
Habitat for Humanity of Collier County has an open-door policy: All who believe that everyone needs a decent, affordable place to live are welcome to help with the work, regardless of race, religion, age, gender, political views or any of the other distinctions that too often divide people. In short, Habitat welcomes volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds and also serves people in need of decent housing regardless of race or religion.
As a matter of policy, Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliated organizations do not proselytize. This means that Habitat will not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must either adhere to or convert to a particular faith, or listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Founded in Americus, Georgia, USA, in 1976, Habitat for Humanity today operates around the globe and has helped build, renovate and repair more than 600,000 decent, affordable houses sheltering more than 3 million people worldwide.
The ultimate goal of Habitat for Humanity is to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the face of the earth by building adequate and basic housing. Furthermore, all of our words and actions are for the ultimate purpose of putting shelter on the hearts and minds of people in such a powerful way that poverty housing and homelessness become socially, politically and religiously unacceptable in our nations and world.
Within the mission and ministry of Habitat for Humanity, there is a place for everyone to share their time, talents and treasure. Some volunteers pound nails, others use a paintbrush, some participate in family selection, some act as family mentors, and some contribute financially. Each person is vital to our mission to eliminate poverty housing in Collier County.
We invite you to look around our new website, meet our team, view our volunteering information and learn more about the families we help and communities we serve. All donations to Habitat for Humanity of collier County are most appreciated.
“No matter the location of the build site, the religion, gender or ethnicity of the homeowners or volunteers, there is a sense of authentic community that links Habitat partners.”
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Habitat for Humanity of Collier County started?
Habitat for Humanity of Collier County has been serving families since March 1978 and has built more than 2,400 homes to date. It is one of the oldest and most successful affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International, which was organized in Americus, Georgia in 1976. Locally, a small, professional staff manages the general programs with assistance from a Board of Directors made up of men and women in Collier County who volunteer their time to Habitat.
How are homes built?
Heavily dependent upon volunteer labor, Habitat purchases land and materials with donations from individuals, congregations, service groups, businesses and foundations. Homeowners are required to invest 500 hours of “sweat equity” building homes and to make a small downpayment at the time of closing. Homes are sold to qualifying partner families with an affordable, no-interest loan. Mortgage payments are used to purchase land and materials for more homes. Additionally, in 2008 this affiliate began purchasing (non-Habitat) homes out of foreclosure and bringing them up to our “like-new” standard in partnership with hard-working families. After the completion of 250 of these homes, our rehab initiative has wrapped up and we have returned to new construction in Habitat neighborhoods.
Are contributions to Habitat tax-deductible?
Yes. Habitat is incorporated as a tax-exempt, non-profit organization 501(c)(3).
Donor Privacy Policy: Habitat for Humanity of Collier County is committed to donors’ privacy. Habitat for Humanity of Collier County will not trade, share or sell a donor’s personal information with anyone else, nor send donor mailings on behalf of other organizations. Our donor privacy policy is comprehensive and applicable to both online and offline donors.
How are families selected?
Qualifying applicants must be legal residents of the United States, living or working in Collier County for at least one year prior to application, and be living in inadequate conditions. A volunteer family selection committee reviews all applicants and follows a non-discriminatory selection process, based on housing need, ability to repay the loan and the ability to partner with Habitat by working sweat equity hours. Every day Habitat meets families who live in overcrowded and substandard housing.
Habitat for Humanity of Collier County will provide to all applicants, equal opportunity to obtain housing regardless of religion, race, color, gender, physical or mental disabilities, national origin or familial status. HFHCC will not discriminate in providing opportunity for sale or financing of housing and will assist all persons who feel they have been discriminated against because of religion, race, color, gender, physical or mental disabilities, national origin, or familial status to seek equity under federal and state laws by providing information on how to file a complaint with the Florida Commission on Human Rights.
How can I help Habitat?
You can help by volunteering on Habitat’s construction sites; serving on the Selection Committee; teaching classes for partner families; making a donation of land, materials, or money; working in the Habitat Home Store; donating furniture, appliances or other household items; or simply by spreading the word. Your involvement makes a lasting difference in the lives of hardworking families.