1. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Grade 7 Social Studies Ms Gilmet

2. What is Habitat for Humanity? The Habitat for Humanity movement was founded in 1976 in Americus, Georgia. The program developed from the idea of "partnership housing" where those in need of adequate shelter work side by side with volunteers from all walks of life to build simple, decent houses.

3. Who uses Habitat for Humanity? The Habitat for Humanity helps build homes for families who would not be able to afford one otherwise. For a family to receive a Habitat for Humanity home they must: 1. Need affordable housing and have an income below the poverty line for that region. 2.Must be willing and able to repay a lower mortgage (must have a job to earn money for mortgage.) 3.Must donate at least 500 hours of volunteer labor to Habitat for Humanity. This is called sweat equity.

4. How does Habitat for Humanity work? The Habitat for Humanity homes are built using volunteers. People donate either their time, their skills (carpenters, electricians, plumbers, etc), materials (wood, nails, etc) or their money. These donations in addition to the time the recipients donate (500 hrs of sweat equity) allows a home to be built cheaply.

5. In 1985 the movement spread to Canada with the formation of the first Canadian partner in Winkler, Manitoba. From these simple beginnings the Habitat for Humanity movement in Canada has grown to 70 partners in 10 provinces and three territories and has been successful in placing more than 1,000 families into new homes. Habitat for Humanity now spans over 90 countries and is responsible for placing over 225,000 families into new homes around the world.

6. Here is a letter written by the Whalen family of St. John’s, Newfoundland. The Whalen family is one of many families to receive new homes through Habitat for Humanity.

8. In your book: Read pages 56 and 57. Learn about another family, who like the Whalen family received a home from Habitat for Humanity. Briefly answer: Who, what, when, where, and why. Write a short sentence for each summing up the article.

9. Think and Respond: In your own words explain how Habitat for Humanity helps break the poverty cycle for many families. (Be ready to share your response next class!!!)