Habitat for Humanity International is the parent organization of Habitat for Humanity of Kosciusko County, a local affiliate. Habitat International oversees many affiliates across the globe, advocates at the international/national level, maintains the Habitat brand, and implements international aid and disaster relief.

Here at Habitat for Humanity of Kosciusko County, we build local homes with local people using local resources. We are fairly autonomous from Habitat International, although both organizations share the same vision, mission and values.

We receive very little financial resources from Habitat International. That is by design. Habitat International provides educational resources, secures large gifts-in-kind, and maintains the Habitat brand. When we build a home locally, we must fundraise 100% of the money we will use to build this home. We do not receive any financial support from Habitat International to build homes or support our operations.

That depends on what you wish your money to be used for. We work locally, they work internationally. If you want to help support a local home build, please make the gift to us. If you want to support international aid or disaster relief, please make the gift to Habitat International.

The ReSale Outlet (also known as a Habitat ReStore) is a store that sells home improvement goods that are donated to Habitat for Humanity. It serves as a revenue source for us, but it also enables more people to maintain and improve their homes on a budget. The revenue it generates supports our operations and allows us to build more homes in Kosciusko County. (Plus, a donation to the ReSale Outlet is a tax-deductible gift to Habitat for Humanity!)

Be sure to check out the ReSale Outlet's webpage to learn more!

Anyone can! The ReSale Outlet is open for everyone to shop, donate and volunteer.

Yes, we are! Habitat for Humanity has always been a Christian organization, and we believe in putting God's love into action through our homeownership program. You'll also see us work with and through a lot of local churches.

No, you do not! Since its inception, Habitat has pledged to help anyone, regardless of faith, achieve the dream of homeownership. We are also an Equal Opportunity Lender.

Most of our homes are 3-4 bedroom, 1 or 1.5 bath, somewhere in the 1000-1300 sq. ft. range. They are mostly single story, ranch-style homes over a crawl space with no garage. We only use new building materials to ensure the home's quality for the family. 

We believe in giving a hand up, not a hand out! Each family (or Partner Family) contributes their own time and talent to build their home. They complete homeownership and financial education courses. In the end, they pay a 1% down payment, buy home insurance, and sign up for an 0% interest mortgage. The price of the home is set at the appraisal value, although it may be subsidized to a lower price depending on the family's income. Either way the family ends up with a mortgage, just like the average homebuyer.

Our partner families must apply and be approved by the board of directors. Each application is assessed on three criteria: 1) ability to pay 2) need for housing and 3) willingness to partner. We check their financial situation and conduct a home visit as part of the application.

After approval, each adult in the family must attend financial literacy classes, contribute 250 hours of sweat equity, provide a 1% down payment, purchase homeowners' insurance, and more! It is important to us for each partner family to put some skin into the game and be prepared for the responsibility of homeownership.

We build all across the county, primarily within city limits. Most of our homes have been constructed in Warsaw and Syracuse, but we have also built in Mentone, Claypool, Milford, North Webster and Cromwell. If we have the land, family and funding, we will build there!

Some Habitat affiliates do, but we do not. Those who need repairs should consider shopping at the ReSale Outlet to save on costs. Some local churches do offer help with home repairs.

No; the founder of Habitat for Humanity is Millard Fuller. President Carter and his wife brought national attention to the organization in the 1980s and have been avid supporters ever since.