Our Mission

The mission of DC Habitat for Humanity is to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness in the nation's capital by building affordable, energy- and resource-efficient homes for God's people in need.

What We Do

DC Habitat sells homes to families who are ineligible for conventional financing. We offer no-profit, no-interest, 25 year mortgages for our buyers. Prospective homeowners make a $500 down payment and contribute 300 hours of sweat equity towards construction of their own home. Mortgage payments on completed homes (typically $400- $425 a month) are reinvested in a revolving Fund for Humanity to finance further construction and the acquisition of additional properties and building materials.

Since our founding in 1988, DC Habitat has completed over 100 homes and renovated 75 low-income cooperative units in the District of Columbia. We are grateful for the over 4,000 volunteers a year who have contributed toward the construction of these homes.

DC Habitat houses are typically three bedroom semi-detached style homes. Each has a kitchen, living room, and one bathroom. Most do not have basements. We go through all of the licensing and permit procedures required of other builders in the District of Columbia. The homes usually take about 9 months to build.

Where We Build

DC Habitat for Humanity builds homes within Washington DC.

Current Construction

Currently, DC Habitat is building a 53-home development in Northeast Washington. Thirty-three families are already living in their new homes with six more homes under construction at this time. We are striving to reach and maintain a 10-home per year pace of construction.

Who We Work With

Anyone can apply for a DC Habitat home, as long as they fall within the "low-income family" standards as defined by federal income guidelines. Homeowners are then chosen based on a variety of criteria including credit history, home visits, and willingness to partner with the Habitat housing model. More detailed information is available within the Home Ownership section of this site.