About Us
Greater Westfield Habitat for Humanity (GWHH) is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. While it is affiliated with the Georgia-based Habitat for Humanity International, GWHH is an autonomous organization that has its own committees and is governed by a local board of directors. Our goal is to build partnerships among volunteers, families and the community to transform lives by helping local, low-income families to build, buy, and repay their own modest, affordable homes. The "sweat equity" hours invested by partner families reduce costs, increase the pride of ownership, and help build new relationships and a sense of community.

We are supported by the individuals, businesses, churches, and local organizations of Western Massachusetts through their generous, tax-deductible donations of money and materials, by the labor of volunteers, and by the incoming, no-interest mortgage payments from current Habitat homeowners.

Frequently Asked Questions
Habitat...Isn't That The Organization That Jimmy Carter Started?
What's Habitat all about?
What Kind of Charity Is Habitat for Humanity?
Don't You Give Houses To The Homeless?
How does Habitat work?
Is Habitat A Christian Organization?
I Don't Have Any Home-Building Experience. What can I do?

Habitat...Isn't That The Organization That Jimmy Carter Started?

Former President Carter is perhaps its most famous volunteer but Habitat for Humanity was founded by Georgia businessman Millard Fuller who conceived the concept of Habitat in the mid-seventies. Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalyn are extraordinarily supportive of Habitat's work and President Carter's association has helped to give Habitat a greater visibility in the national and international media.

What's Habitat all about?

Habitat was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, decent place to live in dignity and safety. Greater Westfield Habitat for Humanity is a local, non-profit, community based, volunteer organization dedicated to building affordable housing for hard-working, low income families. Habitat brings diverse segments of the community - churches and temples, businesses and individuals, service clubs and foundations - together with the common goal of financing and constructing homes for deserving families.

What Kind of Charity Is Habitat for Humanity?

Habitat for Humanity is a Ch. 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization but it offers a hand-up, not a handout. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and are financed with affordable, no interest mortgages made directly with the local affiliate. The mortgage payments are deposited in a revolving fund and are used to build more houses in the community.

We give local, low-income families the opportunity to improve their own lives by financing and constructing their own homes. Homeowners have to work hard to build their homes and pay back their own mortgages. In that sense, Habitat is a self-help opportunity, not a give-away program.

Don't You Give Houses To The Homeless?

Habitat's goal is to eliminate poverty housing, by providing working families the opportunity to improve their living conditions. Families who are selected to participate in the program are not without housing, but live in substandard or inadequate conditions and are unable to secure affordable housing in the private market, despite having a steady income. Families are qualified for ownership based on a sliding income scale and various other factors that include "credit worthiness." Not only do homeowners purchase their houses, they are also required to help build them--and the homes of others--as part of their "sweat equity" agreement.

How does Habitat work?

Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with people in need and caring volunteers to build and renovate homes. Through volunteer labor and tax-deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner (partner) families and efforts of many volunteers, churches, community groups, service organizations and business partners.

Is Habitat A Christian Organization?

Habitat was originally founded in the 1976 as an ecumenical Christian ministry. Today more than 2,100 Habitat affiliates are active in 100 countries. However, we welcome and partner with many types of organizations and people, believing that we all can contribute to solving the serious problems of poverty housing. Families are selected on need for housing, ability to pay and willingness to partner. Religious conviction and practice is not a requirement in any way for homeownership or for participation in volunteer activities.

I Don't Have Any Home-Building Experience. What can I do?

The easiest way to give to Greater Westfield Habitat for Humanity is to donate online by using our secure online donation link. [link to donation site] But there are many other ways you can help. Share your talents and time. Volunteers need only a willingness to learn skills, a desire to interact with all types of people, and a flexible attitude. Construction is a very labor intensive activity in which volunteers carry much of the load. Volunteers are also needed, however, to be event organizers, land seekers, application takers, and to fill a myriad of other positions. Check out the volunteer opportunities link on our home page to find volunteer information and to see how you might become involved.