Our Story

About Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity

Since 1988, Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity has helped families achieve self-reliance and stability through shelter. Developing community partnerships and the shared goal of transforming lives are vital to our work. We believe that families should not just survive, but that they should flourish. We understand that adequate shelter often times is the catalyst that ignites transformation. With the help of our communities, we construct new homes, remodel homes, and facilitate home repairs for families affected by Hurricane Michael.

Our Mission

Chipola Area Habitat works in partnership with God, and people from all walks of life, to build and renovate houses, so that there are decent houses in decent communities in which every person can experience God’s love and can live and grow into all that God intends.

Our Vision

Here at the Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity, we envision a world where everyone has a decent place
to live.

Our Values

Demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ.

Focus on Shelter.

Advocate for affordable housing.

Promote dignity and hope.

Support sustainable and transformational development.

How the Habitat Model Works

  • FUND: Donations from community companies, individuals, and faith groups fund Habitat home construction.
  • BUILD: Volunteers and homebuyers build homes, often with donated materials and labor.
  • EDUCATE: Financial education courses prepare families for homeownership.
  • BUY: Homebuyers purchase homes with favorable financing terms.
  • REINVEST: All mortgage payments are reinvested back into the program.
Infographic that features the Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity logo at the top and reads: The Habitat Model. Fund then Build then Educate then Buy then Reinvest and then has an arrow showing that the cycle repeats.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Families who are in need of decent, affordable housing apply for homeownership. The ability to repay an affordable mortgage or small loan, as well as the level of housing need and willingness to partner with Habitat, are among the selection criteria for becoming a Habitat homeowner. Homeownership Partners receive financial education and complete a minimum of 500 volunteer hours by building their own and other Habitat homes, providing retail assistance at the Habitat ReStore, or performing important tasks at the Habitat office.

We build homes in Jackson and Washington counties. Eligible applicants are those who live and/or work in Jackson County or Washington County, Florida.

No. Habitat does build new homes. We also work alongside families to rehabilitate and preserve existing homes needing repairs

No. We welcome people with any skill level to volunteer with us on the build site, even beginners. On-site construction leaders train volunteers in all aspects of building. You do have to be at least 16 years old to work on a Habitat construction site. You can also volunteer and participate in a variety of other ways, from helping out in one of our ReStores, or serving on one of our committees.

Yes. We need donations to advance our mission of providing safe, decent affordable housing. We appreciate financial contributions, and donations generously made to our ReStores.

We operate two ReStores, which are retail thrift stores. We believe that everyone should be able to make dignified purchases. Revenue that is generated by our ReStores helps to build homes for families in Jackson and Washington counties.

Chipola Area Habitat is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. While our mission is inspired by Christian principles, all who desire to be a part of our work are welcome — without regard to religious preference or background.

Non-proselytizing policy

Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity will not proselytize, nor will we work with entities or individuals who insist on proselytizing as part of their work with Habitat. This means that Habitat will not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must adhere to or convert to a particular faith or listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith. All who believe that everyone needs a decent, affordable place to live are welcome to help with the work, regardless of race, religion, age, gender, political views or any of the other distinctions that too often divide people.

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