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Millard Fuller recently traveled to Mexico, where 19 Habitat affiliates have built some 13,000 homes since 1987.
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Photo by Kim MacDonald
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Habitat Helps Meet Urgent Need
By Millard Fuller
In the pages of this issue of Habitat World you read about the urgent need for affordable housing. The stories document how poor housing adversely affects the health of those who are forced to live in such conditions. And, another article exposes the detrimental effects of bad housing on the education of children. Furthermore, the fear and insecurity of parents of families in substandard housing come to light in graphic detail in another article.
The need for adequate housing, both in the United States and in other countries, is unquestionably enormous. But Habitat for Humanity offers a proven solution. It brings hope and a much better life through the building and renovation of modest but good and solid houses sold to families on the “Bible Finance Plan”—at no profit and no interest—which makes the houses affordable even to very low-income families. And the families help build their own houses through their own “sweat equity.”
We are currently building approximately 6,000 Habitat houses a year in the United States and another 14,000 or so in 82 other countries. But, so much more needs to be done.
And so much more can be done. The resources are in the pockets of people all across the land who simply must be inspired to share with those less fortunate. They must come to realize the powerful truth of Proverbs 3:28, cited below.
Did you know that approximately 15,000 $1 million houses are built each year in the United States? Many cost several million dollars to build. At $1 million each, it would take $15 billion to build these 15,000 houses. If that money were used to build Habitat houses, then 300,000 houses could be built in the United States or 3 million could be built in developing countries.
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"Do not say to your neighbor, 'Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,' when you have it with you."
--Proverbs 3:28
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The money and other resources are available to end the shame and disgrace of poverty housing and homelessness.
We must stop saying to our neighbors in need, “Come back and tomorrow I will give it,” when we have what is needed in our pockets now.
—Millard Fuller is founder and president of Habitat for Humanity International.
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“Habitat Founder Speaks Around the World”
Habitat for Humanity’s founder and president, Millard Fuller, travels around the world sharing Habitat’s message. Dates are subject to change. Please call ahead to confirm.
Durban, South Africa
June 2-7:Jimmy Carter Work Project;
Rita Clemens, (229) 924-6935, ext. 2272
Cape Cod, Mass.
June 19:Cape Cod Habitat for Humanity;
Vicky Goldsmith, (508) 775-3559
Frederick, Md.
June 21: Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County;
Peninah Blumhagen, (301) 698-0397
Kilmarnock, Va.
June 22:Lancaster/ Northcumberland Habitat for Humanity;
Tim Shrader, (804) 435-3461
Arundel, Md.
June 23: Arundel Habitat for Humanity;
Linda Gray, (410) 384-9212
Toronto, Canada
July 24-27: Catholic World Youth Day 2002;
Neil Hetherington, (416) 755-7353
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