At a Glance: Miles City, Mont.


The total value of a Habitat house and its contribution to a community is difficult—if not impossible—to establish. However, it is possible to consider a Habitat house’s contribution to the community in terms of one of life’s inevitabilities: taxes.

As an example, in 2000, Habitat for Humanity homeowners in Miles City, Mont., paid an average of $825 each in county property taxes. If a homeowner family paid this amount for every year of the 25-year mortgage, they would contribute $20,625 to the county tax rolls by the end of those 25 years. With four houses completed as of October 2000, the total contribution of Habitat homeowners to Miles City over 25 years would equal $82,500. Of course, over the long haul county taxes will certainly increase, and the ultimate contribution could end up significantly higher. With each additional house the affiliate builds, the contribution of Habitat homeowners to the local community grows exponentially.


Reprinted from Habitat World Magazine, April/May 2001.
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©2001 Habitat for Humanity International