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Last updated on August 14, 2008

Our mission at Habitat is to create decent homes in good communities by working in continuing partnership with those of God's people in need who are committed and able to become homeowners. We believe that the greatest means to assist families is in providing a home ownership opportunity. Simple, affordable housing can have a profound impact on stabilizing a family and providing long-term security. The Habitat program is one of self-empowerment: we offer families A HAND UP, NOT A HAND OUT.

Description:
Greater Worcester Habitat for Humanity (GWHFH) is an independently-operated affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. We are a non-profit, Christian, housing ministry dedicated to making shelter a matter of conscience. Building relationships and community is as important to us as building homes. We invite people of all faiths and walks of life together in partnership to lend a hand to those in need of better and affordable housing.

Founded in 1985, GWHFH was one of the first Habitat for Humanity affiliates established in Massachusetts. The essential building blocks of the Habitat program are volunteer labor and donated materials, which are utilized in the building of simple, decent homes. Habitat homes are sold to partner families on a no-profit basis, with 0% interest mortgages. GWHFH generally holds the mortgage for 20 to 30 years. Payments are recycled to finance more housing through our Revolving Fund for Humanity.

We use three basic criteria in our family selection process: need for adequate shelter, ability to pay and willingness to partner with Habitat. With these in mind, we conduct an extensive screening process of applicant families, including housing, employment, credit and personal reference checks, followed by in-home family interviews. Families must be willing to contribute 400-500 hours of sweat equity building their homes as well as homes of other Habitat families.

"Partnership" is the word most commonly associated with Habitat for Humanity. We join those who require assistance with others who are willing to provide a hand up – not a handout – to a better life. We truly believe there is an opportunity for all to find fulfillment within Habitat as we serve one another.

History:
On January 22, 2008, Pamela Faustine, president of Greater Worcester Habitat for Humanity, and Christopher Ross, president of Habitat for Humanity MetroWest, announced the merger of the two affiliates to be known as Habitat for Humanity - MetroWest/Greater Worcester. Anticipating gains in production capacity and other efficiencies, the action culminates over a year of discussion and planning, leading to the Worcester organization's adoption of MetroWest's service area and business activities. This merger is already bearing fruit as the Sudbury Housing Trust has granted our organization the construction award to develop an affordable housing site in that town.

The combined organizations will be responsible for the development of volunteer-built, affordable housing in the 29 municipalities of Ashland, Auburn, Boylston, Charlton, Framingham, Grafton, Holden, Holliston, Hopkinton, Leicester, Marlborough, Millbury, Natick, Northborough, Northbridge, Oxford, Paxton, Rutland, Sherborn, Shrewsbury, Southborough, Southbridge, Sturbridge, Sudbury, Sutton, Wayland, West Boylston, Westborough and Worcester.

The merged entity has developed 27 affordable homes in the region since 1985. We anticipate the start of another duplex in Sudbury in Fall 2008, and are looking forward to projects in Boylston, Millbury and Sturbridge in the near future.

Contact person: Kat Vriesema-Magnuson, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email)

Address:

111 Park Avenue Worcester, MA 01605 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.gwhfh.org

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