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Habitat for Humanity San Francisco partners with working families and engages the community to build homeownership.

Habitat for Humanity San Francisco (HHSF) was founded in 1992 to provide a solution to the critical need for decent, safe, and affordable housing in San Francisco and Marin Counties. Since 1996, Habitat for Humanity San Francisco has built 30 homes, housing 69 adults and 92 children. We are currently constructing a 12 home development in San Francisco's Outer Mission neighborhood. Future developments include four homes in Marin County and seven homes in San Francisco's Bayview/Hunter's Point community.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is your connection to Habitat for Humanity International?
   
   We are an independently funded affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International (HfHI), founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller. HfHI, a worldwide organization that seeks to eliminate poverty housing, builds on an international level. Donations to HfHI fund housing programs overseas while donations to your local Habitat for Humanity affiliate (e.g. Habitat for Humanity San Francisco) fund housing programs in your own community.
   
   
2. How is Jimmy Carter involved with Habitat for Humanity?
   
   Jimmy Carter is our most famous volunteer! His involvement with Habitat for Humanity began in 1984 when the former president led a work group to New York City. Ever since, both Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter give a week of their time each year to build homes and raise awareness of the critical need for affordable housing. The next Jimmy Carter Work Project will be held in Los Angeles, CA in October 2007.
   
   
3. How does the Habitat for Humanity program work?
   
   Habitat for Humanity builds simple and decent houses through volunteer labor, the "sweat equity" of our partner families, and donations of money and materials. Habitat homes are sold to partner families at no profit and are financed with zero-interest loans.
   
   
4. What is the cost of a Habitat home in San Francisco & Marin Counties?
   
   Currently, the cost to build a Habitat home is approximately $260,000 and the mortgage payments are under $1,000 per month.
   
   
5. Who are the Habitat for Humanity Partner Families?
   
   HHSF works with an underserved community in San Francisco and Marin. The Habitat for Humanity approach encourages self-help by providing a "hand up, not a hand out." In order to partner with Habitat for Humanity families must: earn between 40-60% of the Area Median Income, have the ability to repay a mortgage, demonstrate a need for housing and complete at least 500 hours of "sweat equity" to build their own home.
   
   
6. How do you find land on which to build?
   
   In our area, land is the most difficult asset to acquire. HHSF, through a cadre of dedicated volunteers and Habitat staff, works in partnership with individual landowners, government entities and developers to draw attention to the need for safe, decent and affordable housing. These unique partnerships allow us to acquire land at below-market prices. In turn, we are able to pass the savings onto our future partner families by reducing the cost of each home.