The ReStore
Habitat’s vision: A world where everyone has a decent place to live.
Mission statement
Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.
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Mission principles
Demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ.
We undertake our work to demonstrate the love and teachings of Jesus, acting in all ways in accord with the belief that God’s love and grace abound for all, and that we must be “hands and feet” of that love and grace in our world. We believe that, through faith, the miniscule can be multiplied to accomplish the magnificent, and that, in faith, respectful relationships can grow among all people.
Focus on shelter.
We have chosen, as our means of manifesting God’s love, to create opportunities for all people to live in decent, durable shelter. We put faith into action by helping to build, renovate or preserve homes, and by partnering with others to accelerate and broaden access to affordable housing as a foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty.
Advocate for affordable housing.
In response to the prophet Micah’s call to do justice, to love mercy and to walk humbly with God, we promote decent, affordable housing for all, and we support the global community’s commitment to housing as a basic human right. We will advocate for just and fair housing policy to eliminate the constraints that contribute to poverty housing. And, in all of our work, we will seek to put shelter on hearts and minds in such powerful ways that poverty housing becomes socially, politically and religiously unacceptable.
Promote dignity and hope.
We believe that no one lives in dignity until everyone can live in dignity. We believe that every person has something to contribute and something to gain from creating communities in which all people have decent, affordable places to live. We believe that dignity and hope are best achieved through equitable, accountable partnerships.
Support sustainable and transformational development.
We view our work as successful when it transforms lives and promotes positive and lasting social, economic and spiritual change within a community; when it is based on mutual trust and fully shared accomplishment; and when it demonstrates responsible stewardship of all resources entrusted to us.
Non-proselytizing policy
Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliated organizations will not proselytize. Nor will HFH work with entities or individuals who insist on proselytizing as part of their work with HFH. This means that HFH will not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must adhere to or convert to a particular faith or listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith.
It began in 1976 with a vision. . .
Founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller, Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry, open to people from all walks of life, with a mission of eliminating poverty housing and making simple, decent, affordable shelter for all people a matter of conscience. Since its inception, over 800,000 homes have been completed in partnership with 4 million Partner Family members in 3,000 communities in 70 countries around the world. To learn more about what Habitat for Humanity International, visit their website Habitat for Humanity has been accurately described as "a hand-up, not a hand-out." Habitat purposefully works in partnership WITH deserving families, who also contribute to Habitat in a number of ways. Selected Habitat families not only pay back their no-interest loan, but each adult in the Partner Family must also work on "Sweat Equity" hours, in order to purchase a Habitat home. For more information on who qualifies or how to apply for a home with North Central Iowa Habitat for Humanity, please visit the Home Ownership section of our website.
Local
Cerro Gordo Area Habitat for Humanity was started in Mason City by members of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in 1994. For several years the all-volunteer affiliate built one or two houses each year. During the spring of 1999, with the addition of Franklin, Winnebago, Worth and Hancock counties, we became Habitat for Humanity North Central Iowa. In October of 2004, the Board of Directors hired a full time Executive Director with the goal of helping more partner families by increasing building capacity. In 2008, we included Wright County into our service area. To date, we have helped 45 families achieve their dream of homeownership throughout our six county area.
About Us
but by a series of small things brought together." ~Vincent Van Gogh |
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Mission StatementHabitat for Humanity North Central Iowa believes that everyone deserves a decent place to live. Habitat does this by working in partnership with families to build simple, decent, affordable housing for those that might not otherwise become homeowners. Habitat for Humanity of North Central Iowa is a not for profit, ecumenical, Christian housing ministry.
Vision Statement
Habitat for Humanity of North Central Iowa: Is part of a global nonprofit housing organization operated on Christian principles that seeks to put God's love into action by building homes, communities, and hope. Is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally through constructing, rehabilitating, and preserving homes; and by providing training and access to resources to help families be successful and achieve their dreams. Was founded on the convictions that every man, woman, and child should have a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all.
All Are WelcomeHabitat for Humanity for North Central Iowa has an open door policy. All who believe that everyone needs a decent affordable place to live are welcome to help with the work regardless of race, religion, age, gender, political views or any of the other distinctions that too often divide people. In short, Habitat welcomes volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds and also serves people in need of decent housing regardless of race or religion. As a matter of policy, Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliated organizations do not proselytize. This means that Habitat will not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must either adhere to or convert to a particular faith, or listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversation to a particular faith.
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How We WorkHabitat for Humanity is a not for profit, ecumenical, Christian housing ministry financed through private and corporate donations. We utilize volunteer labor and in-kind donations to build simple, decent, and affordable housing. Habitat homes are sold to our partner families at no profit and with no interest. |
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Where We ServeHabitat for Humanity North Central Iowa serves those living in Cerro Gordo, Franklin, Hancock, Winnebago, Worth, and Wright counties. If you live outside of our area, please contact your local affiliate.
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Habitat for Humanity FactsWorldwide, Habitat for Humanity operates in nearly 90 countries, all 50 states in the U.S., the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico. Today, Habitat for Humanity International has built or repaired over 1 million homes serving more than 5 million people worldwide. Habitat for Humanity was named the 14th largest home builder in the U.S. and the 14th top charitable organization. |
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Habitat HistoryHabitat for Humanity International was founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller, along with his wife Linda. Millard Fuller's mission is to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.
Our Local History
1991 Volunteers from the First Congregational United Church in Mason City participated in a Habitat project. 1993 Formed local affiliate 1994 Officially ecognized as Cerro Gordo Habitat for Humanity 1995 First Habitat house was completed. 1999 Area covered expanded from Cerro Gordo to five counties total and the name changed to Habitat for Humanity North Central Iowa. Affiliate was still run fully by volunteers and they built an average of one house a year. 2004 Habitat hired a full-time Executive Director. 2007 The current Executive Director was hired. 2008 The service are expanded to include Wright County. 2009-2013 Habitat salvaged great reusable items from over 110 flood buyout houses throughout Mason City 2011 Habitat moved to a new location that is much more visible and four times the space of the previous facility in order to accomodate the ReStore and construction growth. 2014 Habitat celebrated it's 20th Anniversary! 2014 The affiliate began a "Home Repair" program to assist low-income homeowners throughout the service area with critical health and safety needs, weatherization, and neighborhood beautification projects. 2015 Habitat has provided homeownership opportunities to 45 area families and completed five home repair projects throughout the 6 county region. |
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National PartnershipsWhirlpool Yale Locks Wells Fargo |
Current and Past Projects
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Completed ProjectsClick on the family name to see more information about this build. Wumkes Family Garner, 2014
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Home Qualifying Guidelines
You may be able to purchase a Habitat home if you meet the following three guidelines: |
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NeedYou may be able to buy a Habitat home if your present housing is not adequate and you are unable to obtain adequate housing. Lack of adequate housing may include:
We also consider the percentage of your monthly income that you currently spend on housing to determine need. You will be required to openly and fully discuss your financial situation with a Habitat interviewer. All information discussed and collected is strictly confidential. You and your family will be considered if your total income is not over the range of 60% of the median income for our area (see chart).
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Ability to PaySince you will be buying your home from Habitat, you must be able to pay the monthly mortgage payment. This payment will include the mortgage payment, the payment for real estate taxes, and property owner's insurance. We will help you determine if this payment will allow you to meet all of your other family expenses. We can also help you if you need to develop a budget. There is no interest on the loan for a Habitat home. |
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Willingness to PartnerWhen selected, you become a "partner family" in the Habitat movement. To become a "partner family" you must complete 250 hours per adult in your family (maximum 500 hours per family) of volunteer work along with other Habitat volunteers. These hours of "sweat equity" contribution must be completed before becoming a homeowner. Your "sweat equity" may include:
Your extended family and friends can work up to one-half of the "sweat equity" hours for you. You will be responsible for the maintenance and repairs on your house from the time you move in. |
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How to Obtain an ApplicationIf you feel that you may qualify for a Habitat home, please click the link below to access an application. You may also contact our office by phone 641-424-8978 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your name, mailing address, and phone number to request an application. |
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Family SelectionThe selection of families who purchase homes from Habitat for Humanity North Central Iowa is done by a group of volunteers on the Family Selection Committee in a way that does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, age, disability, religion, marital status, or because all or part of the applicant's income is derived from public assistance programs. |
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We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. |
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