About Us

Background:
Founded in 1988, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Stark & Carroll Counties is a non-profit Christian housing ministry working in partnership with God and people of all faiths, and all walks of life to help meet the long term housing needs of local low income families who are inadequately housed. It is an affiliate project of HFH International, which was founded in Americus, Georgia, in 1976, and is now operating in 1761 North American cities and more than 602 active affiliates in international areas of Africa/Middle East, Asia Pacific, Europe/Central Asia, and Latin America/Caribbean (as of Nov. 2004). HFHI is a growing ministry, both locally and throughout the world. In 1988, over 1,000 houses were built by Habitat organizations. In 1998, HFHI’s 70,000th house was built here in Canton, Ohio. This house represents Canton’s 100th house. HFHI ranks as one of the top twenty builders in the U.S. on Professional Builder’s list of the nation’s largest builders, based on housing starts, and has celebrated the completion of over 200,000 houses worldwide.

Houses:
Through volunteer labor and tax-deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner (partner) families. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit, financed with affordable no-interest loans. Habitat is not a give-away program. In addition to a down payment and the monthly mortgage payments, each homeowner family invests up to 500 hours of their own labor - sweat equity - into the building of their house, and the houses of others. Since 1988, 270 houses have been completed and sold in Greater Stark County.

Families:
Our target population is people who do not have enough income to qualify for a conventional bank loan, but who could afford a modest monthly mortgage payment, as well as upkeep on a home, and who are currently living in inadequate shelter. Today, over 900 family members live in the homes built or rehabilitated by HFHGSCC volunteers. More than 600 of these residents are children. 77% of the homes built with HFH volunteers are led by single parents, with incomes at or below 60% of the median income for the city of Canton. For a family of four this is approximately $28,730 annually. Most of the qualifying families earn incomes even below this level. The Family Support Committee encourages families toward home ownership by offering budget counseling, job search assistance, etc. In addition, each family attends classes on home maintenance and repair, insurance, landscaping, car care and more.

Service Area:
HFHGSCC began with a commitment to the revitalization of the city of Canton, and to the goal of raising the home ownership base in the city. Habitat has built nearly 50 of its completed homes in the Lathrop school neighborhood and completed 26 in the Harmont NE area. Others have been built in scattered sites throughout the city. By building several houses in one neighborhood HFHGSCC develops a core of responsible local residents who have a stake in the future of their community, and who set an example to their neighbors with their new-found sense of ownership and pride. Well-maintained homes bring up surrounding property values attracting further investment in the community. In May of 2007, HFHGSCC expanded its ministry to serve all of greater Stark and Carroll counties, including Canton, Massillon, Minerva, Waynesburg, Malvern and all points in between. While remaining true to its mission, HFHGSCC is working to provide even more area families with simple, decent shelter.

Funding Sources:
HFHGSCC is funded by individuals, churches, local businesses and organizations, civic groups and area foundations. When the house is sold, and the family begins making house payments on their no-interest mortgage, their money is deposited into the revolving Fund for Humanity and set aside for continued new construction. In 2007, HFHGSCC will receive an estimated $545,000 from homeowner house payments. This money will be used as “seed” money for the building of houses in partnership with various groups in our community who will provide the remainder of the finances and the volunteers to build the houses. Less than 10% of funds raised are used for the administrative expenses of the affiliate. In 2005, HFHGSCC opened its ReStore - a resale home supply store that sells donated building materials, furniture and appliances to the public at greatly discounted prices. All proceeds from the ReStore benefit the home-building ministry of HFHGSCC.

Construction in Progress:
HFHGSCC is currently building 20 houses per year. All of these houses will be built by volunteers and families working together. If you have always wondered what it takes to work with us, now is the time to call the Habitat office and get started. It’s easy, and a warm welcome awaits you!

Volunteers:
Volunteers are the heart of Habitat's ministry, and come together from all walks of life, giving a few hours a month, a Saturday now and then, or working almost full-time to help accomplish the goals of the affiliate. There are nine standing committees that do the work of the affiliate. In addition to work on the construction sites, there are many behind-the-scenes opportunities for volunteers to be a part of the Habitat ministry, including family selection and support, church relations, working at the ReStore, serving on the board of directors and more. Contact us today to find out more information.

Equal Housing Lender
Opportunity
Phone 330.493.6500
Fax 330.493.6501
Email Joanne Callas