Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with God and people everywhere, from all walks of life, to develop communities with people in need by building and renovating 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.

The University of Kansas chapter of Habitat for Humanity uses a board and committee organizational structure. See all of the Committees here

For Information on our board member positions and committees, see our organizational outline here.

Campus Relations Committee
+ Promotes KU Habitat Activities & Events
+ Writes Press Releases, Chalks, Puts up Posters
+ Helps Recruit KU Habitat Members
+ Works with Lawrence's Communications Committee
+ Notifies Members of Chapter Acitivites
+ Led by the Campus Relations, Volunteer, Newsletter and Website Coordinators
+ To Join, Click Here

Fund Development Committee
+ Oversees fundraising activities such as the Crunchy Chicken Challenge and Hire a Habitat
+ Conducts Grant Writing and Letter Campaigns
+ Works with Lawrence Habitat's Fund Development Committee
+ Led by the Fund Development Coordinator and Treasurer
+ To Join, Click Here

High School Outreach Committee
+ Works with local high school students on KU Habitat Events
+ Promotes Habitat's Mission to local high schools
+ Collaborates projects with High School Students
+ Is led by the High School Outreach Co-Coordinators
+ To Join, Click Here

Here's what's on the Hotseat for the 2009-2010 KU Habitat Year:

The 2009 Crunchy Chicken Challenge (September)

National Habitat Youth Leadership Conference (October)

Flag the Phog (October)

Kid's Playhouse Design, Build, and Auction (October - April)

Birdhouse Builds (October - January)

Hire A Habitat (November - March)

Cakes for Cash (November - December)

Habitat on the Hill (Washington D.C., February)

Collegiate Challenge Spring Break Trip (March)

Art Sale (February - March)

Beer & Wine Auction (December)

Flapjacks for Philanthropy (March)

Homeless for Habitat Campaign (April)

KU Habitat Student Build Days (Monthly, September - May)

Habitat for Humanity got its start in Lawrence in 1989 after Rev. John Gingerich was inspired by a visit to Habitat's national headquarters. Since this date, Lawrence Habitat has provided housing for 70 families in the area.

How does Habitat work?

Habitat for Humanity is in the business of building homes in partnership with families in need. It is a partnership that brings these families together with people committed to making poverty housing unnecessary. We build together, and then the family buys the home.

In partnership with volunteers and with Habitat for Humanity, families build their own simple, decent homes. A typical family is required to put 450 hours of work, mostly on their home but also on other Habitat homes. We call that "sweat equity," an investment that they earn through a lot of hard work.

Each homeowner family then buys the home. It becomes affordable, because it is sold for the cost of materials, with the benefit of volunteer labor, on a mortgage with no interest. The money goes back into a revolving fund for future homeowners -- the "Fund for Humanity."

"Simple, Decent" is a Habitat watch-phrase. Habitat, with volunteers and homeowners, builds solid, well-constructed but simple homes, typically just under 1100 square feet for a three-bedroom home.

How does a family qualify?

Families in need qualify by showing a willingness and ability to be a partner. Although their income would not allow them to obtain a conventional mortgage, they have shown themselves to be responsible for the task of construction and the continuing responsibility of home ownership. Further details are found in a page of Information for Prospective Homeowners . Where does the money come from?

Habitat for Humanity is truly a community organization. Hundreds of individuals, many businesses, and a cross-section of churches are among the primary supporters of Habitat for Humanity. Although Habitat does not accept government funds for construction, grants and partnerships with the affiliate's city help underwrite building site acquisition.

Simple, decent housing, built with families in need is in everyone's interest, and throughout the United States and the world, a wide range of people are partners in this mission.

What is Habitat for Humanity International?

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry.

Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller, along with his wife, Linda.

Today, we have built over 350,000 houses around the world, providing more than 1.75 million people in 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter.

For more information, visit www.habitat.org.