Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity

Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity (CVHFH) is a partnership of churches, businesses, individuals, organizations, and families of low resources that has a proven track record in addressing the need for affordable housing in the greater Cedar Rapids community Iowa’s Linn and Benton counties. It is the local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), an ecumenical Christian housing organization committed to eliminating the world's substandard housing.

Habitat provides a hand up, not a hand out. The only thing given away is opportunity. To keep homes affordable, we use as much volunteer labor and discounted or donated materials as possible. A new or rehabilitated unit is then sold on an affordable mortgage to a family whose annual income excludes them from conventional financing, but who could afford to buy and maintain their own home if the price and terms were right. Principal payments are used to support more building and more families.

Homeowners are selected based on need for adequate housing, ability to pay their mortgage loan and other associated home owning costs, and willingness to be a volunteer partner with Habitat. Race, age, sex, ethnic origin, marital status, and religion are never considered in application review for approval. Homeowners agree to volunteer 300-400 hours of “Sweat Equity” by participating in a variety of Habitat projects and supporting activities - including the construction of their own home and homes being built with other Habitat homebuyers.

As part of Habitat for Humanity International, Cedar Valley Habitat is committed to eliminating substandard housing everywhere. We pledge 10% of all unrestricted donations to fund HFHI’s mission of building homes internationally. Due to the lower cost of building internationally, Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity has served over 150 additional families this way. Worldwide, Habitat for Humanity International has brought homeownership to over 200,000 families.

Cedar Valley Habitat was founded in 1988 to serve Linn County. Volunteers expanded the service area in 2001 with the creation of the Benton County Chapter. Because of this alliance with Benton County, the first Habitat home in Vinton was completed in Summer of 2007.

In 1988 through 2000 CVHFH work concentrated in Cedar Rapids and Marion. 1998 celebrated the kick-off of Genesis Park, a 25-house neighborhood development in the Oak Hill area of Cedar Rapids. CVHFH continues its programs all across Linn & Benton counties, and there are now Habitat homes in seven cities in our service area. Since 1988, CVHFH has served over 290 families through a combination of new construction, rehabilitation and repairs. No other home owning organization in our area serves the people who are Habitat partners. CVHFH depends on community businesses, churches, organizations, and individuals to make adequate housing a matter of conscience. Your volunteered funds and time make the dream of homeownership a reality.

Together we build homes, community, and hope.