Our Mission
Champaign County Habitat for Humanity and ReStore is a Christian ministry that provides the life-changing opportunity for people to purchase and own simple, quality, affordable homes.

What We Do
•Build and sell simple, quality, affordable houses using a zero interest mortgage program through volunteer labor and tax-deductible donations of money, land, and materials

•Select families based on their level of need, willingness to work, acceptance of responsibilities and ability to repay the mortgage

•Provide educational programs for good financial management and home maintenance to our homeowners

•Use our ReStore revenues to cover virtually all the administrative costs of the affiliate allowing other donations to go directly to home building.  Our inventory is made up solely of donated items and volunteer labor covers over 90% of our needs.

•Make used furniture, appliances, electronics, household and home improvement items available to the community at excellent prices while preventing over 200 tons of materials from going into landfills each year

•Enjoy exemplary relationships with volunteers and donors from a broad range of groups: religious, social,  business and local government

What We Believe
•Working hand in hand with people in need produces a sense of empowerment and accomplishment, which provides an environment for positive life changes.  We provide a hand up, not a hand out

•When people act in response to human need, giving without seeking profit or interest, the effects are multiplied by God

•Communities are diverse, but God’s love is all encompassing

•Giving to others meets our own human needs as well as those we serve.  Donations of time, talents and material goods mean safer, healthier living for those who give and those who receive

•Our most important resources are our volunteers, donors and homeowners

How We Build
•VOLUNTEERS provide the labor to build and to run the ReStore

•The ReStore’s goal is to cover all our administrative costs so that all other donations go directly to building homes.  Currently the ReStore cover over 80% of these expenses.

• “Gifts in Kind”  - Donations of land, materials and discounts on materials provide many of  our supplies while donations of time by professionals and tradesmen such as architects, electricians, and roofers provide expert, certified and warranted services

•Financial gifts provide the funds to purchase land, materials and services not covered by volunteers or Gifts in Kind

What we Build
•Single Family homes

•Three or four bedrooms, 11/2 or 2 bathrooms

•1,100 to 1,300 square feet with small front porch

•Wood frame construction with crawlspace and vinyl siding

•Stove, refrigerator and blinds provided

Who We Serve
Habitat strives to provide the life-changing opportunity of home ownership for families who are working hard for a better life, but whose income simply doesn’t give room for a conventional down payment and an interest bearing mortgage.

While the median household income in Champaign County is just over $64,000 more than 20% of our population lives below the poverty line of $18,000.  More than 30% make less than $25,000 per year.  With the average rental rate at $700 per month this means many families barely make ends meet.  There are no savings for a down payment, even when they are frugal.  And while $700 per month would make the payments on a $100,000 mortgage many rental properties fall well below the needs and standards of most families.

To become a Habitat Homeowner candidates go through an extensive selection process and must meet the following requirements

Housing Need
Ability to Pay
Willingness to Partner

History of Habitat for Humanity
Founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller, Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness worldwide and to making adequate, affordable shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat invites people from all faiths and walks of life to work together in partnership, building houses with families in need. Habitat for Humanity of Champaign County and ReStore is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International.

Habitat is a worldwide, grass-roots movement. There are more than 2,100 active affiliates in 100 countries, including all 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico. Use the Habitat for Humanity International affiliate search to find Habitat affiliates in other areas.

Habitat is a grass-roots movement. Concerned citizens from all walks of life come together as volunteers to form a Habitat affiliate in their community. Fundraising, house construction, family selection and other key decisions are carried out by the local affiliates. HFHI headquarters, located in Americus, Ga., provides information, training, support and other services to Habitat affiliates worldwide. Volunteers provide most of the labor, and individual and corporate donors provide money and materials to build Habitat houses. Habitat is not a giveaway program.

Donations
Donations are used as designated by the donor. Gifts received by us that are designated to a specific building project are forwarded to that project. Any undesignated gifts are used where most needed. Our most recent audited financial statement is available upon request.

Our affiliate's home improvement ReStore offers 15,000 square feet of new and gently used furniture, household goods, electronics, appliances and building materials (see a video here).  All items are donated by individuals, families, and local businesses and sold to you at discounted prices. ReStore profits pay for the overhead costs of operating Habitat for Humanity of Champaign County. By covering our own costs, we are able to direct every dollar designated for home building directly to home building, 100%. When you shop at, donate to or volunteer with the ReStore, you support our mission to build relationships and strengthen community through the construction of new homes with qualified, low-income families.

Management
Our Board of Directors determines policy and monitors operations in conjunction with a professional staff. Board members are dedicated volunteers who are deeply concerned about the problems of poverty housing in our community.