About RRV Habitat

Red River Valley Habitat for Humanity was organized in December, 1987. Groundbreaking for the first Habitat home in the Dakotas was in June, 1989. There have been seventeen Habitat homes built in Grand Forks, ND, one home in East Grand Forks, MN, and two rehabbed homes completed since 1989.

Red River Valley Habitat for Humanity’s mission is based on the vision of developing partnerships between churches, business and concerned individuals to assist hardworking low income people to build and own their own homes. The vision is founded on the Christian belief that sharing one’s material wellbeing multiplies the ministry of love, justice and goodness throughout the world.

Habitat is committed to the development and uplifting of families and communities, not only to the construction of homes. Habitat for Humanity builds, renovates and repairs simple decent and affordable housing with people who are living in inadequate housing and who are unable to secure adequate housing by conventional means.

Habitat for Humanity selects homeowner families based on their need for adequate shelter; their ability to pay for the Habitat home; and their willingness to partner with Habitat for Humanity. We do not discriminate in the selection of families on the basis of race, creed, gender, disability, ethnic background or any other characteristic protected by law. All homeowners contribute “sweat equity”, they work in partnership with the affiliate and other volunteers to accomplish Habitat’s mission.

Habitat for Humanity sells the homes to Partner families with a no interest mortgage. In figuring affordability, affiliates use the guideline that no more than 30% of a family’s monthly income should be spent on housing. (This is the percentage recommended by HUD and includes utilities as well as mortgage payment, taxes and insurance.) The length of the Habitat mortgage is generally 20-30 years, depending on a family’s income and/or other circumstances.

Red River Valley Habitat for Humanity has thirteen Board Members at present. There are no paid staff. We depend on volunteers from the Board membership to pick up the mail and check messages left on our voice mail; return calls to persons requesting information and route messages to board or committee members. We have volunteers from local churches, a UND chapter affiliate, Grand Forks Air Base personnel and many individuals in our community participating in Habitat activities.