The NCSU Habitat for Humanity Chapter was founded in 1991. We are one of more than 500 campus chapters of Habitat for Humanty. In 15 years, we have worked on more than 20 houses in and around Raleigh. We have developed a strong relationship with Wake County Habitat and work very closely with them. As of 1991, we have sponsored one or two houses with Wake County and one or two houses with various break trips throughout the school year. This means that we have sponsored with labor around 23 houses in Wake County and donated monitarily to 13 of these houses.

As such a strong chapter of Habitat for Humanity, we have three goals we try to promote. These goals are:

• Education: Campus chapters educate fellow students and the community about the need for decent, affordable housing, and how Habitat fits into the solution.
• Construction: Participation in the construction and renovation of houses gives students hands on opportunities to put their faith into action while building partnerships with Habitat affiliates.
• Fundraising: Campus chapters offer creative ways to raise funds for Habitat's work, both locally and internationally.

Of course, what we really want to do is have fun while doing all of these things. We take every chance possible to just chill out and have a good time while getting everything done. We welcome all newcomers, especially if you are interested in having fun and learning new skills while helping those who will benefit from your work and compassion. Because we are a multi-faceted organization, we have plenty of opportunities for you to get involved. If you would like to learn more about who we are or what we do, you can read about it on the website or contact an officer in the field you are interested in.

While not exactly accurate, the best way to describe our relationship with Wake County Habitat for Humanity is as a parent-child relationship. We work closely with Wake County Habitat to secure a worksite and other essentials. However, they typically allow us to work autonomously once we have obtained our worksite. Fifteen years of working together has built up a strong rapport between our two organizations. Without such a strong bond, our organization would not have much work to do. We work every year on maintaining and improving this relationship.

Please check out their website at www.habitatwake.org.

Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian organization dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness worldwide and to making adequate, affordable shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat is founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, decent, affordable place to live in dignity and safety.

Habitat has built nearly 200,000 houses around the world, providing close to 1 million people in more than 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter. HFHI was founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller along with his wife Linda. Its headquarters are located in Americus, GA, the first community to eliminate poverty housing through partnership with Habitat.

Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner (partner) families. This partnership with the homeowners, commonly called "sweat equity," requires them to work hundreds of hours on their own and others' houses. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with affordable, no-interest loans. The homeowners' monthly mortgage payments are used to build still more Habitat houses. Because of the sweat equity and monthly mortgage payments, Habitat for Humanity is not considered a giveaway program. It is more like a helping hand up.

Families in need of decent shelter apply to local Habitat affiliates. The affiliate's family selection committee chooses homeowners based on their level of need, their willingness to become partners in the 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 the families who receive Habitat houses.

If your family, or a family you know, is in need of decent, affordable housing, contact the Habitat affiliate nearest you. The affiliate for Raleigh, NC, and NCSU Habitat is Wake County Habitat. If you are not from this area, use Habitat for Humanity International's search engine to find the names and phone numbers of affiliates in your area, or contact the Habitat help line at 800-422-4828, ext. 2551 or 2552. Your local affiliate can give you information on the availability, size, costs and sweat-equity requirements for Habitat houses in your area, as well as information on the application process.