Habitat World Online

Over the past few months, Habitat World readers have proven faithful to the editors’ invitation to share their thoughts on the world, their lives, Habitat and Habitat World. Letters, phone calls, e-mail—all help clarify the message and balance coverage of the issues surrounding substandard housing.

One topic that prompted spirited feedback recently was an impression some readers inferred from two photographs that appeared in the February/March 2002 issue. The pictures of substandard housing on pages 12 and 14 drew criticism from readers who felt the residents may be mismanaging their money since they drive such “nice” cars. Here are two of the comments:

“In your latest Habitat World regarding poverty housing, I notice in two pictures (pages 12 and 14) that they do indeed need better places to live. However, in both pictures I notice new cars outside the homes. It appears that their priority is misplaced and some of that money could be helping with their living conditions.” —Reno, Nev.

“Before reading the accompanying articles [in your magazine], a would-be contributor would see the pictures and could possibly form the wrong opinion. ...Probably the cars are purchased with loans, and if payments are not made regularly, [the cars] may be forfeited. If payments are kept up to date, it could be interpreted that the residents are not so badly off. In any case, they could probably afford better housing if they chose it instead of a current model car.” —Aztec, N.M.

In light of such concerns, it is important to note that reliable transportation—especially in rural areas that lack public transit systems—is paramount for steady employment, which, of course, has both survival and quality-of-life implications. Often, workers in rural areas, such as the areas pictured in the February/March issue, may drive as much as two hours one way to work. Transportation becomes central for meeting the daily requirements of life.

Because of readers’ feedback about the cars, we asked some Habitat for Humanity affiliates whether they have encountered similar discussions. Following are a few of their responses:

“The reality in my area is that without a reliable car, it’s very difficult to hold down a job. Most of our county is small towns, and the affordable towns don’t have employment opportunities, let alone grocery stores. ...We also have winter here...winter makes it pretty difficult to walk or ride your bike 10 miles or more to the next town for your job.” —Ames, Iowa

“I know someone who is low income but lives in a small enough place to keep the rent low. He needs a reliable car for the many miles he travels in his job.... He knew his needs, shopped around for the best deal, and haggled the payments down to something affordable for him.” —Elma, Wash.

“When this comes up [here in Tyler], I tell the commenter that: a) each of us has our own priorities and it’s not up to us to judge another’s; and b) a steady job requires steady transportation, and our homeowners are steady people. —Tyler, Texas

Another frequent theme in reader feedback is stewardship. Overall, Habitat World readers are aware of the need to use donor dollars responsibly, opting to discontinue their subscriptions if they don’t have much time to read or prefer to read the magazine on Habitat’s Web site.

Following are some of the letters we’ve received recently that have touched us, inspired us, and kept us on our toes. Thanks for writing.

“I am a homeowner thanks to Habitat for Humanity. I live in a three-bedroom home with my husband and two teenage girls. ...My heart fills up every time I read an article [in Habitat World] of what these families went through. It makes me thank God all over again that we were truly blessed by our home. ...Remember you are truly making families happy, knowing they can actually provide for their family and keep a roof over their heads.” —Front Royal, Va.

“...This issue [February/March 2002] included what seemed to me two significant developments worth celebrating: a move into the countries of Jordan and Lebanon, among others, and a focus on education in several of the articles and the book review of Nickel and Dimed. I’ve been praying that God would send Christian workers to minister mercy in Jordan (and Palestine and the West Bank)—workers who would respond to the hurt behind terrorism rather than only to the violence of terrorism.”--Lawrence, Kan.

HFHI Affiliate Countries