Heartland Habitat for Humanity

Kaw Valley Habitat for Humanity was chartered in 1987, by community volunteers from local churches, organizations, and businesses. A.C. Cuppy, a minister from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) was the founding president. KVHH was chartered to build in Wyandotte, Johnson and Leavenworth Counties in Kansas. KVHH strategically built on scattered sites including urban core, suburban, and even rural locations! Since its inception, KVHH enjoyed steady growth in home production. Since 1995, production increased over 200%.



Home sponsorship was originally from churches. We have continued that traditional partnership while reaching out to new corporate, organization, and individual sponsors. We are especially proud of our partnership with high schools.



2006 brought new growth to the affiliate when Kaw Valley Habitat for Humanity and Northland Habitat for Humanity joined to form Heartland Habitat for Humanity. HHfH is chartered to build in Johnson, Leavenworth, Wyandotte, Clay, and Platte counties. HHfH is one of only a few affiliates that builds in two states. Separately the affiliates have been nationally recognized for Community Development and Family Services, Building with Youth and their commitment to help build homes in other countries as well as locally.



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. The Homes are sold to families with no-profit added and 0% interest loans. Mortgage payments average $400 per month, including taxes and insurance. homeowners' monthly mortgage payments are recycled into a revolving Fund for Humanity that is used to build more houses. Families invest 350 hours of ?sweat equity? in home construction and other community service.



Prospective applicants for homeownership are invited to an information event where the program is explained and they are assisted in filling out the application. The application poses questions regarding work history, credit history, outstanding debt, etc. The volunteer Family Selection Committee carefully reviews every application and makes a home visit to likely candidates. Three main criteria are used in family selection:

1) Housing Need

2) Willingness to partner with HHfH

3) Ability to repay the no-interest loan.



Approximately 70% of HHfH construction work is performed by volunteers. The remainder is done by licensed professional tradespersons, such as plumbers and electricians. HHfH needs over 2000 volunteers every year for construction and committee work in order to make homeownership a reality for these deserving families.