Habitat for Humanity international is an independent, nonprofit housing ministry, dedicated to the elimination of poverty housing by building simple affordable homes in partnership with families in need. Homeowners contribute 500 hours of "sweat equity" to the construction of their own homes, and then repay a long-term, no-interest mortgage to Habitat. Mortgage costs are kept low by the use of volunteer labour and by the donation of funds and building materials. Habitat International has built some 100,000 houses in 79 countries around the world, providing families with safe, decent, affordable shelter.  The new building goal world-wide is 200,000 houses by the Year 2010.

Habitat for Humanity Victoria is one of over 50 Canadian affiliates of Habitat for Humanity Canada who have built more than 500 homes since 1985. Habitat for Humanity Victoria, founded in 1990, has completed one house in 2000 and two houses in 2001.  We are currently involved in a six house small subdivision build in Sidney with four complete through September 2005.

Through volunteer labour and tax-deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat builds simple decent houses with the help of the homeowner (partner) families. A typical Habitat house includes three bedrooms and one bathroom in 1100 square feet The family will have an income that places them at or below the "low income restraints line", currently about $29,500 for a family of four in the Greater Victoria Region. Families are required to provide 500 hours of "sweat equity" to Habitat. The homeowners' monthly mortgage payments are recycled into a revolving fund for Habitat Victoria that is used to build more houses in our region.

Homeowners invest 500 hours of their own labour - "sweat equity" - into building their Habitat house and the houses of others. "Sweat equity" develops the personal commitment of the family members to their house, and fosters the development of partnerships with other people in the community.

Families in need in Victoria apply to Victoria Habitat for Humanity. The Family Selection Committee considers applicants according to level of need, their willingness to become partners in the Habitat program and their ability to repay the no-interest mortgage. Victoria Habitat for Humanity follows a non-discriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing Habitat homeowner families.

Over 10% of the families living in Greater Victoria (8,855 families) are defined by Statistics Canada (1996) as "below low income restraint line". Join with us in offering a hand-up to these families. Victoria Habitat for Humanity is a Registered Charitable Organization and your donation to support the building of a Victoria Habitat home is tax deductible. Official tax receipts will be forwarded. (Visa & MasterCard are accepted.) Charitable Reg.#: 89060 4135 RROOI