Habitat for Humanity Japan

What is Habitat?
Habitat for Humanity (Habitat) is a nonprofit organization with a main headquarters located in the United States. As an international NGO, Habitat actively works to eliminate poor living conditions and homelessness from the world.
Habitat was established in 1976 my Millard Fuller, and currently maintains offices in 100 countries and regions. Without regard to race, religion or personal background, Habitat works with volunteers to provide low income families with proper housing.
One of Habitat's most special characteristics is that houses are not provided to home owners free of charge. Home owners are given the opportunity to pay back the no-profit, no-interest housing loans. This money is then treated as a circulating fund. Additionally, by participating in the building process, home owners learn the importance of possessing a house, and gain sense of independence. Volunteers also learn the meaning of trust and confidence in relation to society.

What is the purpose of Habitat for Humanity Japan (HFH JAPAN)?
Habitat for Humanity Japan (HFH Japan) is the Japanese chapter of international NGO Habitat for Humanity. HFH Japan was established in 2001 to handle the increasing number of Global Village (GV) volunteers and to advance a currently insufficient level of building activity. In November, 2003 HFH Japan was awarded recognition as a specified nonprofit corporation (NPO, EN 0112-05-001265), commencing operations in Japan in earnest.
Over 25% of the world, slightly less than 1.5 billion people, still live in drastic conditions or remain homeless. HFH Japan considers housing a human right and aims to play a role in solving housing problems and homelessness around the world.

How many people has Habitat helped?
Habitat has built over 200,000 safe, decent and affordable houses, helping over 1,000,000 people. (As of October, 2005)

How is Habitat run?
Decisions regarding Habitat are made by the administrative board at headquarters in the United States. This board makes decisions regarding activity policy, and monitor to ensure goals are achieved. The administrative board is operated by volunteers that work hard to improve poor living conditions around the world.
Including the headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia of the United States, Habitat has 5 Area Offices located in Bangkok, Budapest, San Jose and Pretoria. Area Offices are managed by a paid group of specialists and long and short-term volunteers. The staff at these offices trains volunteers, works to develop funds for activities, and builds houses.

What are affiliates and national offices?
All of Habitat's activities are carried out by affiliates. Affiliates are Habitat's locally-run nonprofit groups. Each affiliate coordinates building activities, fundraising, supports partner families and conducts loan services within their respected region. Funding for affiliates comes from independent donors, support from the national office, and grants from HFHI.
National offices provide support for construction technology, fund procurement and management, resource development and their domestic affiliates. National offices are independent organizations legally run by an unwaged volunteer board and paid staff and volunteers. The national office board operates on a covenant relationship with HFHI and their country's affiliates.

How are donations distributed?
Affiliates, national offices and HFHI accept undesignated and designated money and donations. Undesignated donations are used as Habitat sees fit. Designated donations are used how in line with the donator's request. Affiliates are entitled to 1/10 of donations in order to support Habitat offices in other countries. Here are our financial reports.

What kinds of activities are conducted in the Asia-Pacific?
In 1983 activities began in the Asian-Pacific in India. As of October 2006, operations have spread to 29 countries (For a list click here: Habitat around the world). While there are not currently construction sites in Japan, Singapore or Hong Kong, these countries contribute to Habitat activities by assisting in foreign house building activities.

What kind of houses does Habitat build?

What Makes Habitat Special?

What is no-profit, no-interest house building about?

What is Save & Build?

Why use Save & Build?

How are home owners chosen?

Does Habitat have environmental standards?

What kind of houses does Habitat build?
Habitat builds houses all around the world using the same policy.

Simple: Houses are built conducive to a family's needs, and to a size that minimizes construction and maintenance costs. The house's design will reflect the local climate and culture.
Decent: Materials of good quality that are available locally are used. Experienced staff supervises volunteers and their partner families during the construction process.
Affordable: Prices for houses are based on no-profit, no-interest loans that consider the country's standards and family's economic status. They are prices that low income families around the world can easily afford.

What is no-profit, no-interest house building about?
No-profit, no-interest house building activities are made possible by the hard work, funds and materials donated by volunteers and supporters that believe in Habitat's cause worldwide. Additionally, funds are not provided to those in need cost-free. With Habitat's assistance, new home owners make a promise to repay the funds month by month based on a repayment plan that is developed for each family. Moreover, these funds are circulating, making it possible to utilize them in helping an even greater number of people.
In addition to the no-profit, no-interest repayment plan, through helping with the construction of others' homes as well, home owners received a few hundred hours worth of what we call "sweat equity." This allows home owners to strengthen their relationship with their community, and while working more with volunteers, they are able to restore their pride by proactively assisting themselves and others in rebuilding their houses.

What is "Save & Build"?
"Save & Build"is a program that brings low income families together to form a group and work together to save funds required for construction, speeding up the building process. Groups usually consist of 10-12 low income families. After the group raises enough to finance the construction of one house, Habitat will match the amount two times over and construction activities will begin. This means that the group can build 3 houses by saving enough funds to build one themselves. This allows families to receive housing much faster than it would normally when each family must repay loans themselves.

Why use "Save & Build"?
"Save & Build" is ideal for low income families reliant on seasonal based work, or those that do not meet the standards of normal Habitat partner contracts. Additionally, because the process continues until each family in the group receives housing, community solidity strengthens, and residents' sense of responsibility is further cultivated. Houses built in a "Save & Build" program cost a few hundred dollars less than normal.

How are home owners chosen?
Families in need of decent, sturdy housing will apply for a partner contract at their local Habitat affiliate office. The affiliate's selection committee considers the family's degree of need, motivation as a program partner, and ability to repay the loan when deciding whether a family is fit for the program. The committee does not take race, religion or personal background into consideration when making their decision.

Does Habitat have environmental standards?
Habitat not only uses locally available materials and designs housing based on a community's culture and climate, we also design houses based on resource and energy efficiency. While preserving natural resources, Habitat researches construction methods that for building sustainable houses and provides this information to affiliates and volunteers. For more information, please see the HFHI Environment Initiative.

What is Global Village (GV)?

Activities and Programs

What is the Youth Program (YP)?

What is the Jimmy Carter Work Project (JCWP)?

How can I get involved?

What is Global Village (GV)?
The Global Village program is Habitat's short term program where volunteer teams are sent overseas to build houses. Volunteer teams consist of 10-15 people, and each team typically spends 1-3 weeks building houses overseas.
Through this program, volunteers learn about the effects of poverty on families and communities. They also have the chance to come into contact with the local language and culture. Participants contribute to Habitat for Humanity's goal by working alongside local people in an effort to eliminate inadequate housing and homelessness from the world.
To find out more detailed information or learn how you can participate, click here: GV

What is the Youth Program (YP)?
Youth Programs (YP) are intended to educate and support young individuals in a manner that consists both of creativity and a sense of responsibility, where they can contribute to helping Habitat fulfill its mission.
Self run Habitat Campus Chapters (CC) conduct activities on school campuses and around the community to spread the word about housing problems and Habitat for Humanity. Specifically, these chapters assist in fundraising, build houses within their community, and participate in GV programs. As of 2006, there are 8 CCs throughout Japan.
To find out more detailed information or learn how you can participate, click here: YP

What is the Jimmy Carter Work Project (JCWP)?
The Jimmy Cater Work Project (JCWP) is a project where Jimmy Carter,former United States president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, participates in building houses along with other volunteers from all over the world. Every year since 1984 Jimmy Carter has spent a week somewhere in the world building houses along the side of other Habitat volunteers.
To find out more detailed information or learn how you can participate, click here: JCWP

How can I get involved?
Individuals who wish to participate in Habitat activities within their own community should contact their country's national office for information. Japan's national office is in Tokyo, where we offer a variety of ways to get involved. For more information, click here: I want to get involved!

The House Supporter Project

How can I apply to be a House Supporter?
What does 'unit' mean?
In which country will my donation be used?
When do you transfer my donation to the partner country and start constructing the house?
How long will it take to complete the house?
What kind of reports do you provide to the supporters during and after the construction?
How is community development assisted?
Can a House Supporter go to see the homeowner?
Can I write to the homeowners?
Is it possible to sponsor one house as a group with my friends?
Is the House Supporter Project effective in the reduction of poverty?

How can I apply to be a House Supporter?
To start, please contact us by phone, fax, or e-mail and ask for an application form. We will send you the application form with a brochure. Please fill in the necessary information and send the application back to us. As soon as we confirm your donation, we will send you your Habitat goods. You can also apply online at Habitat for Humanity Japan's website.

What does 'unit' mean?
'Unit' means a part of a house such as a roof or walls. Just as we divide a house into 10 parts, we have divided the total construction cost into 10 units. We set each unit cost at ¥36,000, to make becoming a supporter even easier. Supporter's donations (units) are combined to build a house. (For example: Ten supporters donating one unit each will provide the materials necessary to build one house.) Supporters are free to donate as many units as they wish.

In which country will my donation be used?
The Philippines, Indonesia, and Bangladesh are the current partner countries of the House Supporter Project. However, over time we will adjust the partner countries according to the needs, the scope of the building activity, and other various conditions. In the future, we would like to work with other Asian countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, as well as African and South American countries.

When do you transfer my donation to the partner country and start building the house?
Fund transfers are twice a year, around April and October, but this schedule may change depending on the situation. The partner country that receives your donation will be decided within three to six months after your application. The construction will start within three to seven months after your application.

How long will it take to complete a house?
The construction of the house will be completed in six months to a year (at the latest) after your donation. The construction itself usually takes around one to three months, but this can vary depending on the situation.

What kind of reports do you provide to the supporters during and after the construction?
When the transfer of funds is completed, we will inform you of the partner country and the affiliate. After completion of the house, we will send a completion report with a picture of the house, community report, certificate, and a gift from the partner country. With these reports, the supporters will feel and see the result of their support.

How is community development assisted?
Even once housing issues have been solved and living conditions improved, there are often other problems rooted in poverty and lack of income that remain. Some cannot afford to see a doctor; others may not have easy access to clean water and school facilities. With the gHouse Supporter Project,h part of your donation will be used for the community development projects in the same area as the donated houses. With this fund, we aim for the development throughout the community by providing comprehensive assistance to solve the communal problems.

Can a House Supporter go to see the homeowners?
It is possible for a House Supporters to go to see the homeowner whom their contributions have affected. However, it depends on the situation of the family and the area, so please contact Habitat for Humanity Japan to inquire about these details. We are planning for the tours to visit homeowners, and also organizing the Global Village teams to build the HSP donated houses.

Can I write to the homeowners?
Yes, House Supporters can send letters to the homeowners. Please contact Habitat for Humanity Japan for further information.

Is it possible to sponsor one house as a group with my friends?
Yes! We encourage you to be a House Supporter in cooperation with your friends and family. You can share the joy and sense of accomplishment knowing that together you made an important life-changing contribution. We highly recommend corporative donors to form House Support group, too.

Is the House Supporter Project effective in the reduction of poverty?
Yes, we believe that the House Supporter Project is an effective method for the reduction of poverty. This program assists people who are in need of adequate housing due to poverty and/or disaster by helping them become self reliant. A house is one of the necessities of live, and an important space to develop dreams and hopes. With the House Supporter Project, Habitat for Humanity Japan aims to spread peace throughout the world by helping people get out of poverty and reconstruct the things that they have lost.

In Habitat for Humanity housing projects, the homeowners are required to join the actual building activities (except in some cases of disaster response) in order to assist people to be self-reliant. The assistance through House Supporter Project is not temporary and we welcome widespread participation through the 'unit' donation systems and the transparency made possible with clear reports with pictures.