Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with God and people everywhere, from all walks of life, to develop communities with people in need by building and renovating houses so that there are decent houses in decent communities in which every person can experience God’s love and can live and grow into all that God intends.
Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County is an independent local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, governed by a volunteer board of directors from St. Charles County. It is a non-profit ecumenical Christian ministry dedicated to constructing decent, affordable homes in St. Charles County in partnership with hard-working, low-income families. By requiring the payment of a 30 year interest-free mortgage and 350 “sweat equity hours”, Habitat for Humanity offers families a “hand up” rather than a “hand out”.
Our local Habitat affiliate was formed to address the need of affordable housing with leadership from Rotary clubs of St. Charles County. In 1997, 25 founding co-sponsors contributed $2,500 each to building the first house in St. Charles. They included churches, banks, retail stores, and community businesspersons from the construction trade, insurance industry, auto manufacturing and medical fields. Since completion and dedication of the first house in May 1997, HFHSCC has added numerous donor partners and hundreds of individual donors who not only contribute funds, but also volunteer their time to see this organization flourish.
Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County is committed to creating homeownership opportunities for working families. Since it’s inception in 1997, Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County has built 38 homes in Wentzville, O’Fallon, St. Charles and Portage De Sioux. These homes were built in partnership with qualifying St. Charles County families of diverse backgrounds. Habitat families work in local manufacturing, retail, health and other service industries, earning between 25% - 50% of the median income in St. Charles County.
Habitat for Humanity utilizes the financial and human resources of area churches, businesses, foundations, individuals, civic organizations and qualified, low-income families to advance the mission of homeownership.
For more information, visit their website:
click here.
There is a growing need for affordable housing in St. Charles County. The Community Council of St. Charles County conducted a one day, homeless count in St. Charles County and found;
• 830 sheltered and unsheltered homeless people were identified in St. Charles, Lincoln, and Warren Counties in a one day homeless count on February 2, 2009. This is 237 more people than in 2008.
• The one-day count included 512 men & women, and approximately 308 children. An additional 254 people were reported to be “doubled up” with family or friends.
• Many other homeless individuals and families were living either in area campgrounds, or temporarily in motels on February 2, 2009. Approximately 138 persons were found living in campers, and 98 staying temporarily in motels.
• The homeless in our community include working poor families who have experienced a job loss or medical crisis, change in marital status, and domestic violence as well as individuals who may have permanent disabilities, including those with mental illness, veterans, and/or those with substance abuse issues.
• The majority of homeless adults in our community are employed in low wage or part-time service jobs.
The overwhelming need is for permanent supportive housing to stabilize those who are
homeless in our community. Habitat for Humanity is a solution to the affordable housing
crisis in St. Charles County.