We have tried to anticipate what may be the most frequently asked and have listed them along with the answers below. If after reading them you still have questions, use the feedback form to submit them or call the PHP hotline at 630-585-4413 and leave a message and we will be happy to contact you.

Q: How can I volunteer?
Q: What skills do I need to be a volunteer?
Q: How can I make a donation?
Q: What type of items do you accept as donations?
Q: Who is eligible to receive a house?
Q: How do I apply for a house?
Q: Does the recipient have any input into the type of house built?
Q: How is the land acquired?
Q: How long does it take to build a house?
Q: What is the mortgage based on?
Q: Is HFH affiliated with HUD or any other government agency?
Q: How do you spell Pottawatomie?
Q: What is a Pottawatomie?

Q: How can I volunteer?
A: Volunteers are always welcome at the worksite. If you would like to work at the site, you are welcome to show up on a Saturday. See the Current Information page for details and directions. (You must be at least 16 to work at the site when construction is in progress.) If you would like to work during the week or in some other capacity, go to the Volunteer page, complete the form, submit the information and we will contact you. If you are interested in scheduling a group to work at the site, please follow the same procedure and we will contact you.

Q: What skills do I need to be a volunteer?
A: We can always use skilled/certified trades people at the worksite. Anyone with general building skills is also a valuable participant. However, we welcome men and women of all skill and experience levels who are willing to work and learn. We generally have enough experienced people at the site to give guidance to those less experienced. There are also opportunities to serve in capacities other than construction. If you think you may be interested in volunteering in another capacity, go to the Volunteer page, complete the form, submit the information and we will contact you.

Q: How can I make a donation?
A: Monetary donations can be made through any partnership church, any steering committee member or any Harris Bank/St. Charles teller. Checks should be made out to: Habitat For Humanity PHP. All donations are fully tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. If you would like to be contacted regarding donations, please go to the feedback page, complete the form, submit the information and we will gladly contact you. We also accept donations of some materials.

Q: What type of items do you accept as donations?
A: We accept windows, doors, trim, roofing materials, etc., both new and used, as long as the item is in good condition. Some material donations may be referred to ReStore Elgin, our home improvement resale store in Elgin, which also accepts appliances and non-upholstered furniture. If you have an item you may wish to donate and would like to be contacted in regards to it, please go to the feedback page, complete the form, submit the information and we will contact you.

Q: Who is eligible to receive a house?
A: Eligibility is based on Federal Poverty Guidelines with consideration given on a per case basis in regards to family and work situation etc. Recipients must be gainfully employed and able to make a $500 down payment and a $350-$500 per month mortgage payment. Recipients must provide 10 hours of sweat equity during the processing of their application. Upon acceptance as a home recipient, they must provide 500 additional hours if a married couple or 250 hours if single.

Q: How do I apply for a house?
A: Our recipient partner families are referred to us by the Habitat For Humanity of Northern Fox Valley affiliate. They hold orientation sessions quarterly for interested potential recipients. The sessions are generally held at Gail Borden Library in Elgin. If you feel you may qualify as a recipient and are interested in attending an orientation session, call the Northern Fox Valley office at 847-836-1432.

Q: Does the recipient have any input into the type of house built?
A: Habitat For Humanity has general guidelines and books of plans for the houses. Both of the houses built by the PHP were designed by a licensed architect who is a member of our steering committee. Because the recipients were chosen before construction began, he was able to consult with them and design the house according to their desires using the HFH guidelines. Both houses have 3 bedrooms and are approximately 1,100 square feet in size.

Q: How is the land acquired?
A: The land is acquired by the Habitat For Humanity of Northern Fox Valley affiliate. They pay all purchase, impact fee and permit costs on the land. The partnership then assumes responsibility for completing the building. Since the local area has become a highly desirable area over the past several years, finding buildable lots that are suitably affordable for Habitat For Humanity has become increasingly more difficult.

Q: How long does it take to build a house?
A: As with any home construction, this can vary due to a number of factors. Because we generally work only on Saturdays and occasionally on weekdays, our projects will obviously take longer than typical home construction. Our first project was completed in about a year's time and we are on schedule to complete the second in considerably less time.

Q: What is the mortgage based on?
A: The mortgage is based on the total cost of the house. This includes the materials and the property costs. Because all labor is done by volunteers and much of the materials are donated, these costs are considerably less than those for conventional home construction. The monthly mortgage payment is determined on an individual basis according to the recipient's ability to pay. Because the loan is given interest free through Habitat For Humanity, the monthly payment covers principle, taxes and insurance only.

Q: Is HFH affiliated with HUD or any other government agency?
A: HFH is a Christian organization with no government involvement. We will however accept houses to rehab, and utilities, provided there are no strings attached, that would violate Habitat principles.

Q: How do you spell Pottawatomie?
A: We're not sure. (We have also seen Potawatomi.)

Q: What is a Pottawatomie?
A: The Pottawatomie were a tribe of the Algonquian speaking Native Americans of the Great Lakes region along with the Illinois, Menomonee, Miami, Ojibwa (Chippewa), Ottawa, Peoria, Sauk and Fox. The Pottawatomie were indigenous to our local area.

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