Habitat For Humanity International Inc

I have a habitat home and an HOA with my local Habitat. There have been multiple issues that have not been addressed or addressed VERY poorly. Every time I try to file a complaint through the proper channels I receive backlash for it getting back to the person/people that it is about. NEVER file a complaint unless you are ready for the stress. Me and my neighbors have a strong bond because we were told that once we were a habitat family we would be a community but Habitat left us in the wind and REFUSES to be there for us and follow through with things they promised unless we throw a fit. PLEASE be careful with this nonprofit. They are not what they seem.

My sister had a Habitat home and did not have a will when she died. Habitat changed the locks on her doors and refused to allow our family to take any of her belongings. Her son was interested in purchasing the home he was raised in, but they sold it out from under him. Within 8 months of my sister’s death, Habitat had emptied her home and sold it to the highest bidder. They left her children with nothing of their mom. I used to shop at the ReStore, but now I am convinced that at least some of the items they sell were taken away from grieving loved ones and sold for profit. How easily they forgot about the HUMANITY part of their name. Shame on all of them.

This is NOT a non profit. I was an accepted applicant. I know the process. They admitted to me, on recording, that "this is a business, not a charity." They throw together a house in ten days, with up to 30 people being used as indentured servants. Then sell it for what it appraises for. Mine would have easily been over 300k, with my estimated mortgage being 1200ish. They were actually concerned at one point that my 50k per year income wasn't enough. They also admitted on recording that the only reason I was being kept in the program, with such questionable income, was my disabled veteran status. They wanted to tout that, but in the end money takes priority over good media coverage, and the inflexible process is not altered. They're NOT helping the poor, they're selling houses to the upper middle class for huge profits. The process is very poorly thought out, and implemented. Even if they were trying to help the poor they would fail, because the process is so bad. I was booted for missing a zoom meeting. Of the 20ish workshops you have to attend, over the course of about 15 months, you can't miss any. I asked what if someone has a medical emergency, or their power/net goes out. No answer from them. They do a lot of stone walling when I ask questions. Even insisting on face to face sit downs, so that what they say isn't in writing.

If you are looking to donate, there are other more professional and responsible and respectful operations. The people doing the pickup are not given important information so arrive unprepared and end up leaving without the donations. .If you have a pet, don't bother, as they won't take your donation since a customer once complained about pet hair. This is information they could have shared ahead of time instead of expecting donors to arrange their schedule and wait for a pickup Disrespectful of donor's time and effort. Go elsewhere for your donations.

I want to thank Jose from the Clarwater store because he was very kind to me and helped me get the things I needed to remodel my house. Thanks again Jose for being very kind.

I went to the orientation for habitat for humanity's home ownership program, I was told there that anyone with bad credit would not be eligible... How is that, when this is an organization that is here to help people in need? A lot of low income folks have debt, and of course that comes with a not so great credit score. During the orientation I actually got up to leave (along with other families) when I heard about the credit policy. I (along with others) was stopped at the door, and told to apply anyway because the credit thing would not discount my family. Only to find out that it in fact DID. We were also going through a hardship during this time and rental prices in the area kept skyrocketing. Our plan was to move in with family until our habitat home was ready to move into, but because we were denied, we basically had to pack up and leave the area, to live with other family... To say I am devastated about habitat for humanity's policies -as an organization that is put in place to help the less fortunate- is an understatement. They failed us, and presumably so many other families. Having to have a good credit score BUT ALSO be down on your luck financially, is unbelievably ridiculous, and a conflict of interest.

I’ve NEVER had such difficulties trying to make a donation!! I called Habitat to arrange pick-up and delivery of my furniture donation and was given many non-valid phone numbers to make arrange ments. Habitat’s website was not helpful. Idid happened to find a nmber that worked and left a message. My call was promptly returned. Then,as requested, I sent to them a picture of the loveaseat to be donated.A couple guys were sent to pick up my donation and I was treated in a bery rude manner, with a lot of “attitude,”saying ”We’re NOT movers,”I I want to support Habitat, but why spend hours on the phone trying to arrange for pick-up and delivery?!What a hassle! Also, expect to pay a fee for pick-up and delivery of your furniture donation. them. DO NOT go to the trouble of donating furniture to Habitat! ( mine is very nice and looks new.)Do yourself a favor and donate to the Goodwil lor Salvation Army! Jackie Moran Portland

It is refreshing to know that a non-profit like Habitat for Humanity can so easily refuse new lumber supply donations in an economy of high inflation and low supply availability while at the same time insult their donors. Thanks, but no thanks.

I have a brand new materials from an incorrectly built 30' x 12' covered pergola with Trex decking. The builder is going to throw it away. I asked if it could be donated. They said yes.

So, I called Habitat Humanity. After the man on the phone interrupting me several times, talking over me the rest, and then insulting me by calling me "special", I hung up. Sadly, the people who need this wood will not receive it due to the insulting nature of the man on the phone.

Perhaps one day they will learn how to better treat their donors. For me, never again will I reach out to this non-profit.

Well all I know is habitat for humanity supposed to help people but nope they will kick out a family with a pregnant woman to the streets for there own personal gain. They won't work with the family so it all comes to their not here to help (THEY PUT FAMILIES ON THE STREET) THANKS FOR NOTHING habitat of humanity Ontario California. To bad I have to give one star cause this doesn't deserve anything.

I started the process for HFH in 2017, did all that was asked of me..At one point, I was told I qualified for a home and immediately was overjoyed..Somewhere along my year journey, it's like they forgot about me. I was told that due to changes in the program..I didn't qualify for Habitat but the inhouse financing/free market. Unfortunately, I was then told I didnt qualify for that. It's hard getting accepted. Initially my income was high and that's only because they multipled a benefit that I received..which put me in a higher AMI...fast forward to 2021..my income has decreased significantly..but now I dont qualify because I make less money. This has been very stressful and I know I'm not the only one but I don't understand how someone didnt qualify making a decent income to afford a mortgage but denied..then not qualifying with low income..I thought this was an low income program..just sad but God will provide..

Habitat for humanity is not full filling their mission it's all about the money Habitat is allowing the home owners to rent out their condos when it clearly states in the Morgage that we can't do so unless the first Morgage and the second mortgage and all other expenses are paid in full Habitat even said all home owners signed an agreement that we can not rent out our homes unless all is paid for also since we been living here our Morgage have gone up also our association fees have gone up my experience with Habitat for humanity is not good the CEO pockets alot of money

I was hugely let down by this organization. When my kids were younger I applied for HFH and specified the areas I wanted to live in for the safety of my children. Well after years of waiting I finally got the email there was a home in one of the areas I wanted being put up. So I of course jumped on the opportunity to apply. I attended the meeting and even got all my information they needed from me to them the same day. I have a great job as a Real Estate Paralegal, however, my credit prevents me from getting a mortgage. I had amazing references and even provided letters of references on my behalf. They rejected me because they said my kids got older pretty much. Well of course that is going to happen after years of being on a waiting list. Forget the fact I am working full time and could provided great references on employment and fixing my credit, they flat out rejected me for my kids getting older. So basically, get my hope up to basically say my kids are to old for me to be accepted into a affordable mortgage to build my equity. I am currently seeking a way to appeal the decision given I feel it was completely wrong and unfair.

I have worked directly with HfH and have seen the organization affect lives in a positive light.

FRAUD!!! If I could give no stars I would. We made a generous donation on their website. When I got to the final page, under the submit button it said be sure not to press this button twice or you may be charged twice. I thought that odd but carefully pressed the button once. Within a day I noticed they had charged me twice!! Seriously!?! I called & spoke to Jackie who told me I could file a claim but the claims department was gone for the day & I would need to call on Monday and it would take 3-5 business to process. Seriously!?! Your website malfunctions but I’m out of pocket?? No, I asked her to cancel both transactions. I no longer felt comfortable donating to such a poorly run organization. She said she would call me first thing Monday but never did. I filed a claim with my bank to stop the charges. Habitat disputed the claim & wants to keep both transactions!!! Seriously!?! DO NOT DONATE TO THIS FRAUD OF A CHARITY!! They will take what you offer and double it against your wishes. I am disgusted by this whole experience. Shame on Habitat!!

What's great about Habitat for Humanity is that the outcomes of their work are so evident. You can actually see the homes they've built, you can see your donations at work improving someone's life. I find that very motivating to keep on supporting them. We can all really help with a few donations here and there.

I have to respond to those people who are always taking issue with charities salaries. I earn a decent wage and I do not have time to help make the world a better place. The bank that looks after my money pays it's management outrageous amounts and does nothing to really improve the world. I am far happier that some of my gift goes to pay a decent salary to people making my world better, than to a bank CEO. We need to focus on the real issues here and not get caught up in this silly gossip. And, if you do want to know how much any nonprofit CEO earns, it's listed every year on their 990 form which can be found on most of their websites.

You know, it's funny when CEO'S and higher echalon are reluctant to tell their salary. It appears that Mr. Johathan Reckford's salary must be too large to give to the public. Besides he probably has never donated any free labor to help anybody. Back in the 80's the United Way was exposed to high salaries and overhead perhaps Mr. Reckford's regime needs it also. Let's wake up and spend money where it is needed, not in millionaires pockets.

I am not sure why some people are posting reviews of local groups they have been involved with when these reviews are for the national organization. I'm sure that there are some local programs that are not well organized but I think internationally Habitat is doing a great job. They try to give people the boot straps to lift themselves up with. It is a requirement that recipients have the means to sustain themselves in order to keep their house and the local organizations provide help with finding jobs and setting up and managing their budgets so they don't loose their house. We have donated for over 30 years now on a monthly auto-pay plan and we are very proud of the national and the local organization we are involved with.

When I was approached by our local Habitat for Humanity financial director and asked to help out while their current site supervisor went on vacation I thought it would be noble to help a great organization and I was glad to participate. I agreed to help them at less than 1/2 my normal wage and also donate some of my time. The first red flag of their incompetence was when I arrived at the site to see their volunteers slogging around in 8 to 12 inches of mud. I immediately went to purchase straw bales to spread around. Anyone who knows anything about construction site management knows you must do something to control muddy conditions. The cheap OSB siding was only painted on one side and it was scattered all over the place in the mud. The siding was being improperly installed with large gaps and no flashing. That was only the beginning of the Pandora's Box they handed me. I won't even begin listing the rest of the problems as they reared their head throughout the rest of the house. When I tried to explain to them about how to run an efficient job site, they would have none of it and I was treated with unbelievable contempt. Things only got worse from there and they continually blamed their problems on previously hired contractors who had quit. I was now beginning to understand why they had quit. I also quit because it was obvious that they were setting me up to be blamed in the future for their problems too. The treatment I received while working at less than 1/2 my normal wage and also donating a fair amount was unspeakable. I'm a highly skilled craftsman with over 30 years experience who has worked on multimillion dollar trophy homes from the ground up. Never again will I have anything to do with this organization.

they wouldnt explain what was done with a donation and after i asked to unsubscribe they kept mailings up for 6 months

People are losing their homes, older people. If you are younger, have a couple of kids+, you need a home, try for a Habitat home, you need an income, yes I understand this, but HOW does a single mother with 3 kids move into a H.H. pay $350.00 a month, have $900.00 a month left over and pay whatever it takes to raise HER Kids? I called Habitat today, asked if these people can be receiving any type of AID, WELFARE...yes, they can, so as I look at it once again the tax payers are helping these people get into a H.H. when a lot of TAX PAYERS are losing thier homes...I was told they can get food stamps...well where in the hell do people think food stamps come from???? TREES???? If this is a Christian ran organization why doesn't the CHURCH pay for these homes? I as with MANY other tax payers do not have medical insurance but becuase she has 3 kids, she gets free medical WE pay for? She loses her job as a lot of people are doing in this day and age, then what?

Due to a disaster, I am also a recipient. When my home was destroyed by a tornado in 2005 killing 25 people, we all were offered a Habitat home. I worked my sweat equity hours but when I finished, I just couldn't have my new home only a of couple miles from where the tornado hit. Having worked with the Red Cross, I understood this was a natural phenomenon . Eighteen months later, that feeling passed, I worked another 350 sweat equity hours. Unfortunately, that red flag feeling wasn't the moving near the disaster area but shoddy workmanship and no one that takes responsibility to ensure corrections are made. Instead, standing behind an imposed warranty when issues are really warped gables, siding cut too short, gaps from butted to five inches, steps that don't meet code (one rise is correct, 7 inches, the highest is 8 1/2 inches.) Nails are coming through vinyl flooring and in my house over 25 nails/screws are coming through the ceiling in my hallway, kitchen and living room. On some properties, landscaping directs water down the recipients foundation, two houses have siding where the color does not match and two more have thermal reflection issues but again the recipient was not educated as to what caused this nor was there a suggestion in how to correct it. One if not two homes have mold which necessitated a company come in and took care of the mold. On one web site a responder called the recipient stupid and probably had a filthy house suggesting she only had to use bleach. The ignorant one was the the person who suggested bleach. Bleach kills the mold but it doesn't address the issue of where the mold is coming form. One house has water wearing away the concrete because of the possibility that the gutters are not handling the runoff due to maybe the improper pitch of the gutter. Another house has a window that was not installed properly and daylight can be seen coming through the frame. I have contacted Mr. Reckford, (twice)Mr. Klein, and Mr. Carter and did not get a response from any of them. As a volunteer I am embarrassed that this workmanship was OK's by a home inspector let alone a Habitat construction director or his designee. When I searched the Internet, I see errors even worse than the above have occurred. When is there going to be some sort of accountability by this organization?

Charline Bridgeman/volunteer/recipient.

I read a factual accounting about the founder of Habitat, who pretty much donated his talents and time to the cause, and how the current administrators took control of the Board and he was ungracefully elliminated. The chairman and administrators then gave themselves heafty salaries. Shame shame on them.

I was happy to contribute to Habitat after the Haiti earthquake. I was not so happy to begin receiving solicitations for donations even before I received a confirmation of my donation. Phone, email and mail solicitations continued on a DAILY basis, including weekends, evenings and weekend evenings. I received as many as 6 phone calls per day.

I question the % spent on fundraising when subsidizing literally thousands of contacts to one person in one year.

I guess it's just me being cynical, but after looking at Habitat's financials---or maybe I'm just reading it wrong. But for a charity to be sitting on $201,579,376 in assets and doing nothing with it in the face of the housing crisis is...obscene.

IS there something in the bylaws that PREVENTS your charity from stepping in, developing a program, to lend a hand to some EXISTING homeowners who are in crisis because the mortgage lending industry is taking full advantage of the low fed lending rates AND the depressed real estate market to DENY approving mortgages?

And here's another thing that keeps me from shopping in the Habitat stores.

At one time, long before the "net assets" topped $200 million, I suppose, the donations to Habitat's stores were also giving a helping hand to those whose budgets were under strain already by keeping prices on the donated material within the budget of the lower income segment.
Not so anymore.
The donated items are comp-priced by using the internet at the stores here in Charlotte, NC, and probably across the country? I don't actually know for sure, but I can't see one "district" operating outside the corporate line.
And I just realized I said CORPORATE...it just flowed into my head automatically. Uncomfortable, that.
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The prices in the Habitat for Humanity stores here in Charlotte, NC now are above what low-income families can afford, but are "bargain priced" for the upper middle-class. Their practice of pricing via internet listings have changed the demographic of the store, and eliminated a resource for lower income families.

All things considered, Habitat for Humanity seems to have morphed into a "charity corporation" resembling those "religious corporations" that also sit on their assets like King Midas of old.

Why would a charity need to sit on $200,000,000?
How can a charity justify sitting on $200,000,000?
Any CHARITY?