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- Basic Information about Habitat
- What is Habitat?
- What is the purpose of Habitat for Humanity Japan?
- How many people has Habitat helped?
- How is Habitat run?
- What are affiliates and national offices?
- How are donations distributed?
- What kinds of activities are conducted in the Asia-Pacific?
- What Makes Habitat Special
- What kind of houses does Habitat build?
- 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?
- Activities and Programs
- What is Global Village (GV)?
- What is the Youth Program (YP)?
- What is the Jimmy Carter Work Project (JCWP)?
- How can I get involved?
Basic Information about Habitat
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.
Basic Information about Habitat
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.
Basic Information about Habitat
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)
Basic Information about Habitat
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.
Basic Information about Habitat
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.
Basic Information about Habitat
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.
Basic Information about Habitat
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.
Basic Information about Habitat
What Makes Habitat Special?
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.
Activities and Programs
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!
