FAQS
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQS) we receive about Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury and our program. Please contact us if you have a question not covered here.
What is Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury?
Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury (HFHWM) is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization and ecumenical Christian ministry that partners with local families in need and donors to build stable, safe homes and sell them with an affordable mortgage. HFHWM was fully incorporated as an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International on December 5, 1992.
We have built over 290 homes in Williamson and Maury Counties and continue to build 10-16 new homes per year.
How does the program work?
HFHWM offers a hand-up, not a handout. We build and sell energy-efficient, craftsman-style homes to qualifying families. Habitat serves as both the general contractor and the mortgage lender on all of the houses. Habitat brings together sponsors and volunteers to fund and build each home in partnership with families. More than 70% of the work done on each house is done through volunteer labor, and HFHWM receives donations of money and materials from individuals, companies, and groups who are committed to supporting Habitat. A volunteer Family Selection Committee qualifies applicants for the Homeownership Program.
How does the community benefit from Habitat’s work?
We want to build up our community, support the safety and well-being of our neighbors, and eliminate substandard housing from the face of the earth. We work toward this goal by replacing run-down lots and condemned houses with new, Energy-Star homes. Habitat builds small neighborhoods governed by a Homeowners Association and fills a need for affordable housing in Williamson County and Maury County. Additionally, through our Critical Repair Program, we provide major repairs at an affordable rate to keep homeowners safe and from being displaced from their homes.
Who does Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury serve?
HFHWM serves individuals and families who live and/or work in Williamson/Maury County and who would not qualify for conventional mortgage financing.
How are families selected?
Families must meet three basic criteria to qualify for a Habitat home. They must:
- Demonstrate need by living in substandard or overcrowded living conditions, by paying more than 30% of their income on housing, or by living in subsidized housing.
- Have the ability to pay. Applicants must have steady, reliable income, a credit score above 550, and a debt-to-income ratio below 40%.
- Cooperate with the committees on all paperwork, home visits, and sweat equity, including completion of a budgeting class.
Where does HFHWM build?
We have built over 290 homes in neighborhoods throughout Williamson and Maury County, including Spring Hill, Franklin, Columbia, and Fairview.
For every home we build here in Middle Tennessee, we tithe to Habitat for Humanity International to build overseas for a family in need. Over the years we have tithed to Haiti, Vietnam, Cambodia, Lesotho, and Mozambique, an African country where HIV has taken the lives of many middle-aged citizens, leaving siblings to raise the family in many cases.
How much does a Habitat house cost?
House Sponsorships cost $70,000. HFHWM receives additional funding through grants and donations to purchase land and pay for development.
How are the houses funded?
HFHWM works with churches, corporations, civic groups, and other organizations to fund its homes. Learn about the opportunities available for your group.
How is HFHWM governed?
Our affiliate is governed by a Board of Directors, composed of volunteers who represent various areas of Williamson and Maury Counties and donate their time to support Habitat’s mission. The board sets policies and strategic goals. Day-to-day operations are managed by an executive director with the help of staff and volunteers.
How can I help?
Contact us to find out how you can get involved!
Habitat Williamson-Maury is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International.
Habitat for Humanity International Vision Statement
A world where everyone has a decent place to live.
Habitat for Humanity International Mission Statement
Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope.
About Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury
Habitat for Humanity of Williamson and Maury Counties (HFHWM) is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization and ecumenical Christian ministry that works with low-income families and donors to build simple, decent homes and sell them with no profit and no interest. HFHWM was fully incorporated as an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International on December 5, 1992. We have built more than 290 homes in Williamson and Maury Counties and continue to build 10-16 new homes per year.
All are Welcome
Habitat for Humanity of Williamson and Maury Counties (HFHWM) 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.
