History
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Cumberland County Habitat for Humanity (CCHFH) was founded in 1989 when a few local residents saw a need to create more affordable home ownership opportunities for residents of Cumberland County. Now there are more than 20 affiliates in New Jersey, divided primarily according to county lines. Each affiliate has their own board of directors and operates a little differently, based on the needs and resources in their specific community. We are proud to be recognized as a productive, progressive affiliate.
Since 1989, CCHFH affiliate has partnered with 30 local families, helping them transition from sub-standard housing living conditions to home ownership. Habitat for Humanity International's goal is to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness worldwide and to stir the hearts and minds of others to take action on this issue. |
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Open Door Policy
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Cumberland County Habitat for Humanity 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 conversion to a particular faith.
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WHY AFFORDABLE HOUSING MATTERS
Every day in Cumberland County, low-income, hardworking families struggle to find affordable places to live. Rapidly rising rents force these families to live in unsafe, unhealthy, and crowded conditions. This has a negative affect on learning and self esteem of the children.
The American dream of home ownership is seen as simply unattainable, due to the increasing costs of home prices and little change in incomes of hardworking families.
Our mission of working with the community to build and renovate simple decent homes with and for these families has resulted in over 25 families purchasing their home. This leads to stability in their family and the ability to build equity. We believe in this mission, because we have seen first-hand how affordable home ownership impacts families, children, and communities.
Families have a chance to experience stability, build equity wealth, and have something tangible to pass on to their children. Children are healthier and safer. They do better in school, have higher self esteem, and feel more hopeful toward their future. Communities are improved, as homeowners tend to be more active in their communities than renters, and pay into the local tax base.
The American dream of home ownership is seen as simply unattainable, due to the increasing costs of home prices and little change in incomes of hardworking families.
Our mission of working with the community to build and renovate simple decent homes with and for these families has resulted in over 25 families purchasing their home. This leads to stability in their family and the ability to build equity. We believe in this mission, because we have seen first-hand how affordable home ownership impacts families, children, and communities.
Families have a chance to experience stability, build equity wealth, and have something tangible to pass on to their children. Children are healthier and safer. They do better in school, have higher self esteem, and feel more hopeful toward their future. Communities are improved, as homeowners tend to be more active in their communities than renters, and pay into the local tax base.
A Housing Crisis
Worldwide, some 827.6 million people live in urban slums. By 2020, it is estimated the world slum population will reach almost 1 billion. About 50 percent of the world’s population now live in urban areas. Lack of clean water and sanitation claim the lives of more than 1.8 million young children every year.
