Habitat for Humanity of McLean County (HFHMC) is a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a non-profit Christian housing ministry working to eliminate poverty housing worldwide.  As a social service agency, homebuilder and mortgage lender, HFHMC partners with volunteers and families on a non-discriminatory basis to build simple, decent, affordable houses and sell them at cost through a no-interest loan.  HFHMC serves families who live in sub-standard housing and are unable to qualify for other home buying programs, yet have the stability of income and credit history to demonstrate the ability to repay their Habitat mortgage, and who are willing to complete sweat equity demonstrating their commitment to the program.
 
Habitat houses families – one by one- but the impact of this housing ripples into the whole community and into the future. Children of Habitat homeowners are more likely to stay in the same schools, and go on to college. Neighborhoods are developed with homes of decent quality and pride of ownership. Habitat volunteers grow in awareness of the whole community as relationships are developed that cross socio-economic and racial barriers.

Mission
Habitat for Humanity of McLean County is a Christian housing organization, giving people from all walks of life the opportunity to work together to eliminate substandard housing and improve their communities by building simple, decent homes with families in need.

History
Habitat for Humanity of McLean County was founded in 1985 by a group of dedicated volunteers. For many years the affiliate was operated entirely by volunteers working out of committee members' basements and church halls.  The group began by building or renovating 1 house a year. Gradually, Habitat increased its capacity to serve more families. In 1995 HFHMC hired an executive director, the first paid staff position for this affiliate. Habitat has now served over 100 families in McLean County. The affiliate is operated by a small paid staff (and thousands of volunteers) under the guidance of a  board of directors.  

How We Do it
Through volunteer labor and tax-deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat builds simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner (partner) families. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit, financed with affordable, no-interest loans. The homeowners' monthly mortgage payments are recycled into a revolving Fund for Humanity that is used to build more houses.

Family Selection
Habitat for Humanity of McLean County will consider applications from all families in need who wish to apply.  The affiliate's family selection committee considers applicants' level of need, their willingness to become partners in the Habitat program and their ability to repay the no-interest loan. Every affiliate follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing Habitat homeowner families.

If your family, or a family you know, is in need of decent, affordable housing, please check our Apply for a Home page where you will find information on the availability, size, costs, and sweat equity requirements for Habitat houses in our area, as well as information on the application process.

Donations
As a non-profit organization, Habitat for Humanity of McLean County (HFHMC) depends on the generosity of individuals, businesses and other local and national organizations. To a great extent, it is the contributions of these community-minded donors that make new and affordable homes a reality for those in need.

HFHMC accepts contributions of many types, including money, materials and professional labor. When you choose to donate to our organization - no matter how you do it – you can bet that your contribution will help make a difference!

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.

Management
Our board of directors determines policy and monitors operations.  Board members are dedicated volunteers who are deeply concerned about the problems of poverty housing in our community. We operate with a small staff, assisted by a core group dedicated volunteers, and partnerships with churches, businesses and individuals throughout the community.

Government Support
Habitat for Humanity of McLean County does not accept government funds for the construction of new houses.  Occasionally, we accept government funds for "stage-setting" infrastructure needs (streets, sewers, etc.) , or for the acquisition of land, so long as the funds have no strings attached that would violate Habitat's principles.