Habitat for Humanity: A Christian Ministry

A large part of our history is a commitment to our foundation of Christian values. Key to our mission and ongoing ministry are the following principles: 

1. Demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ
   We consistently endeavor to demonstrate the love of Jesus, believing that God's love and grace is meant for all, and that we must be the "hands and feet" of that love and grace in our world. We believe that, in faith, respectful relationships can grow among all people. As we act this out, we believe that, through faith, the miniscule can be multiplied to accomplish the magnificent.

2. Focus on Shelter
   Our means of manifesting God's love is creating opportunities for all people to live in decent, affordable shelter. We put faith into action by helping to build, renovate and preserve homes.

3. Advocate for affordable housing
   In response to the Bible's call to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God, we promote decent, affordable housing for all. We will advocate for just and fair housing policy to eliminate the constraints that contribute to poverty housing. In all of our work, we will seek to put shelter on hearts and minds in such powerful ways that poverty housing becomes socially, politically and religiously unacceptable.

4. Promote dignity and hope
   We believe that every person has something to contribute and gain from creating communities in which all people have decent, affordable places to live. We believe that dignity and hope are best achieved through equitable, accountable partnerships.

5. Support sustainable and transformational development
   We view our work as successful when it transforms lives and promotes positive and lasting social, economic and spiritual change within a community; when it is based on mutual trust and fully shared accomplishment; and when it demonstrates responsible stewardship of all resources entrusted to us.

Our mission and methods are predominantly derived from a few key theological concepts foundational to Habitat for Humanity’s history:

1.     The Economics of Jesus
When we act in response to human need, giving what we have without seeking profit, we believe God magnifies the effects of our efforts; this perspective is known as "the economics of Jesus." The donated labor of volunteers, the support of partner organizations, and the "sweat equity" of our Partner Families make Habitat's house building possible.

2.     The Theology of the Hammer
Foundational to Habitat for Humanity's work is the concept of partnership on common ground -bridging theological differences by putting love into action. Everyone can use the hammer as an instrument to manifest God's love. Habitat’s late founder, Millard Fuller, called this concept "the theology of the hammer."

"We may disagree on all sorts of other things,” said Fuller, “but we can agree on the idea of building homes with God's people in need...The Bible teaches that God is the God of the whole crowd. God's love leaves nobody out, and my love should not either."