Habitat for Humanity La Crosse Area was established in 1992 and partners with low-income, hardworking families in the region to create safe, stable, and affordable housing. To date, Habitat has built over 40 homes for families in need. The local chapter serves a four county region: La Crosse, Vernon, and Trempealeau counties in WI and Houston County, MN. Habitat builds and renovates single-family, owner-occupied homes, operating with a small staff and hundreds of volunteers. 

why houses?

The American Dream of safe, affordable, decent housing is out of reach of thousands in the La Crosse area. The people that Habitat for Humanity serves are individuals and families who are currently living in substandard housing: unsafe, unsound, overcrowded, or too expensive, and they are not able to qualify for a conventional mortgage. They earn 30-60% of the county median income as established by HUD. They are the working poor.

By providing a family with an opportunity to purchase their own home and removing them from poverty housing, Habitat for Humanity is offering a hand up, not a hand out.

do people receive homes for free? 

Habitat homes are not free. After completing at least 350 hours of labor on their homes, partner families purchase their homes from Habitat for Humanity. The purchase price of the home is based on the actual appraised value of the home. Loans are provided at 0 percent interest over 30 years. This “sweat equity” serves as their interest rate and down payment. Partner families pay full property taxes and insurance as well as their own closing costs.
​
Habitat homeowners do not pay more than 30 percent of their income for their mortgage payment, property taxes and insurance. 

who are Habitat's typical partner families?

The vast majority of homeowners are working poor with incomes between 30 percent and 60 percent of the area’s median income. At least one or more adults in the home have full-time employment, and the majority of homeowners have children. They work hard, but represent the lower-wage workers in local communities, and their yearly wages are not sufficient for the dream of homeownership. 

who decides who receives the houses, and what are the requirements for homeowners?

Selection of Habitat homeowners is based on three main criteria. All areas must be met before a family can be selected to partner with Habitat. Families are selected by Habitat staff and the Family Selection Committee and approved by the Habitat Board of Directors.
​
Three Main Criteria:
  1. Must have a NEED for adequate shelter, which includes housing that is overcrowded, unhealthy, unsafe or unaffordable.
  2. Must have the ABILITY TO PAY for the house. This includes verifying the family has sufficient income to make a mortgage payment; decent credit and positive payment history; steady and verifiable source of income; the ability to save money; and no bankruptcies, collections, or judgements.
  3. Must be WILLING TO PARTNER with Habitat. Families must be willing to complete the required 350 hours of labor, attend homebuyer education classes provided by Couleecap, be good neighbors, and maintain their new home.

how do other programs doing similar work benefit our area and how are they different? 

what is Habitat for Humanity International?

Habitat for Humanity is a global nonprofit housing organization working in nearly 1,400 communities across the U.S. and in approximately 70 countries around the world. Habitat’s vision is of a world where everyone has a stable place to call home. Habitat works toward this vision by building strength, stability and self-reliance in partnership with people and families in need of a safe, stable and affordable home. 

how does Habitat for Humanity La Crosse Area relate to Habitat International?

All Habitat affiliates are asked to tithe to fund house-building work in other nations. Habitat utilizes 10 percent of its unrestricted funds to build homes and hope globally in areas where families are in desperate need of affordable housing. Habitat focuses efforts in Cambodia, and to date 53 families have been served globally. All campaign proceeds will stay local. 

common misconceptions about Habitat for Humanity