Answering Your Questions about Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity

How much do you really know about us? We wanted to answer some of the questions we hear most about the work we do at Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity. We hope it helps give you a better understanding about our mission and our impact in the community!

Are Habitat for Humanity houses free?

No, we do not give away houses for free. Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity builds new construction homes in Brown County and sells them to individuals at a 0% interest mortgage. We are able to keep homes affordable by utilizing volunteer labor and because of partnerships and generous donations from local contractors and suppliers.

How does someone qualify to be a home buyer?

Individuals and families who are in need of decent, affordable housing apply for homeownership. Their ability to repay an affordable mortgage, as well as their level of housing need and willingness to partner with us, are among the selection criteria for becoming a future  homeowner.
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Future homeowners receive financial education and spend several hundred hours working alongside our volunteers on the build site. This “sweat equity” can take the form of building their own home, other Habitat homes, attending workshops, classes, volunteering at fundraisers or events, and providing assistance in the ReStore. Learn more about what it takes to become a Habitat homeowner.

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Did Jimmy Carter really start Habitat for Humanity?

President and Mrs. Carter are undoubtedly Habitat for Humanity’s most famous volunteers. They worked tirelessly to help families build houses and raise awareness for more than 35 years. However, they were not the ones who started the organization. Habitat for Humanity was actually founded by Millard and Linda Fuller in 1976.

Habitat for Humanity began at Koinonia Farm in Georgia, which was started by Clarence Jordan. In the early 1970s, Jordan partnered with the Fullers to create “partnership housing.” This is where people in need helped build their own homes alongside volunteers. The homes were sold at no profit, and money came from no-interest loans, house payments, and donations.

In 1973, the Fullers tested the idea in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo), and after three successful years, they returned to the United States and started Habitat for Humanity.

​Does Habitat for Humanity also update existing houses?

Habitat is committed to ensuring that everyone, everywhere, has a decent place to live. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accomplish that mission. Most of the work we do is centered around building new construction homes. But, we also work alongside homeowners within Brown County, Wisconsin  to rehabilitate and preserve existing homes in need of repair. Our Rock the Block program focuses on exterior home repairs, maintenance, and landscaping needs. You can learn more about that program here!

How does the Habitat for Humanity ReStore work?

The Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity ReStore is such an important extension of our work. In case you’re not familiar with it, the ReStore is a home improvement store that sells donated and new items to the public. Here, you can purchase furniture, appliances, home accessories, building materials and SO many other items. Proceeds from the ReStore directly support the work we do on the build sites. In fact, they sponsored three homes on Habitat Homestead. You can learn more about the ReStore here, or feel free to just stop in and browse!

Do I have to have construction skills to volunteer?

We welcome people with any skill level to volunteer with us on the build site, even beginners. Our construction team will train volunteers in all aspects of building. However, you do have to be at least 16 years old to work on a construction site. 

If construction work isn’t something you feel called to do, that’s totally okay! You can volunteer in a variety of other ways, from becoming an advocate to helping out in our ReStore. Click here to learn about all of the ways you can volunteer to support our work.

Do you need donations right now?

Yes, we need donations in order to advance our work, and we appreciate any financial support we receive. ​Your generous contributions empower future homeowners to cultivate strength, stability, and independence. By supporting us financially, you're helping families lay the foundation for a brighter future. You can learn more about donating here.

Thanks to the support of people like you, we are able to help dozens of people in our community  each year build or improve a place to call home. It will take all of us doing whatever we can to create a world where everyone has a decent place to live!