Habitat Chicago works towards strong families and neighborhoods by offering a hand-up, not a hand-out. With the help of community volunteers, we partner with families in need of better opportunities to build decent, affordable homes as we all work towards a world where everyone has a decent place to live. 

Families
Myth #1: Habitat Chicago gives away homes for free. False. In fact, families invest in over 250 hours of volunteer work and take Homeowner University classes, covering curriculum from financial readiness to house maintenance, before purchasing their homes with a 0% interest mortgage. Mortgage payments are then invested back into the next Habitat home, helping another family realize the dream of homeownership. 

Why it's Critical 
Now more than ever, affordable housing is at risk in our city. Housing problems, from cost burden to unsafe conditions, have a tremendous impact on families' bottom lines and can trigger poverty and homelessness. Affordable homeownership makes a difference. It can increase a family's health, educational, and economic outcomes; children are more likely to graduate high school and have higher paying jobs; and it is a critical part of building stronger neighborhoods throughout Chicago.