Our Mission  
Habitat for Humanity Lake County is a Christian housing ministry which welcomes all people dedicated to building decent, affordable housing for families in need, while empowering families to help themselves. HFHLC builds partnerships with diverse members of the community which break down the walls that divide and builds a sense of community among all people. HFHLC seeks to make safe, simple, decent housing for all people a matter of conscience and action.

Habitat for Humanity International  
Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) is a nonprofit, nondenominational Christian housing organization started in 1976 to build simple, decent, affordable houses in partnership with those who lack adequate shelter.  Since 1976, Habitat has built more than 200,000 houses worldwide, providing shelter for about 1,000,000 people.  Now at work in 100 countries, we build a Habitat Home every 26 minutes.  For more information about Habitat for Humanity click here or click here to learn the myths and truths of Habitat for Humanity.

Habitat for Humanity Lake County  
Habitat for Humanity Lake County (HFHLC) is an affiliate of Habitat International.  As an affiliate, HFHLC is an independent 501 (c) (3) organization governed by a local Board of Directors.  The board reflects leadership and ethnic diversity unique to Lake County.

The Lake County affiliate was established in 1989 with the sole purpose of providing affordable homes that lower income families can own.  We have built over one hundred homes providing permanent housing for over 450 people.  View our Photo Gallery

Partnership  
Habitat for Humanity Lake County works in partnership with families, volunteers and community at large to carry out its mission of eliminating poverty housing.  Habitat houses are purchased by the homeowner families.  These four factors make the houses affordable to low-income people:
• Houses are sold at no profit, with no interest charged on the mortgage
• Homeowners and volunteers build the houses under trained supervision
• Individuals, Corporations, Faith Groups and others provide financial support
• Land acquisition and development are partially funded through federal, state, county, and local sources

Homeowner Selection Criteria  
Homeowner families are chosen according to their need, their ability to repay the no-profit, no-interest mortgage, their partnership to contribute 500 hours of sweat equity working on the construction of their home and their willingness to work in partnership with HFHLC. Further, because homeownership means new responsibilities, partner families receive ongoing training and support in budgeting and home and yard maintenance.
HFHLC does not discriminate according to race, religion, or ethnic group and is an Equal Opportunity Organization.

Habitat for Humanity Houses  
Click to see house layout of a typical Habitat  house in Lake County

Habitat for Humanity houses are simple, decent and affordable
Simple: Habitat houses are modestly sized -- large enough for the homeowner family's needs, but small enough to keep construction and maintenance costs to a minimum.
Decent: Habitat uses quality, locally available building materials. Trained staff supervise Habitat house construction and educate volunteers and partner families. House designs reflect the local climate and culture.
Affordable:The labor of volunteers and partner families, efficient building methods, modest house sizes and a no-profit, no-interest loan make it affordable for low-income people around the world to purchase a Habitat for Humanity house.

Habitat Houses in Lake County, Illinois:  
HFHLC builds using wood frame construction, with Gypsum board interior walls, vinyl siding and asphalt shingle roofs. Houses are modestly sized by North American standards -- for example, a 3-bedroom Habitat house has no more than 1,050 square feet of living space, unless city codes require more square footage.  HFHLC mainly builds attached homes to economize on land costs, building costs and labor costs.

Habitat for Humanity International's commitment to build with people in need readily extends to those with disabilities. HFHI's board of directors has endorsed the concept that all Habitat houses should incorporate basic accessible design features, such as a zero-step entrance and wide passage doors and hallways. Houses built in partnership with families with disabilities include additional accessibility features. Habitat also seeks to utilize "Green Building" whenever possible.