Our Local Affiliate

Cerro Gordo Area Habitat for Humanity was started in Mason City by members of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in 1994.  For several years the all-volunteer affiliate built one or two houses each year.  During the spring of 1999, with the addition of Franklin, Winnebago, Worth, and Hancock counties, we became Habitat for Humanity of North Central Iowa.  In October of 2004, the Board of Directors hired a full time Executive Director with the goal of helping more partner families by increasing building capacity.   In 2008, we included Wright County into our service area. To date, we have helped 51 families achieve their dream of homeownership throughout our six county area.

Our mission

Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings
people together to build homes, communities and hope.

Our vision

A world where everyone has a decent place to live.

Our Story

Founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller, Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry, open to people from all walks of life, with a mission of eliminating poverty housing and making simple, decent, affordable shelter for all people a matter of conscience. Since its inception, over 800,000 homes have been completed in partnership with 4 million Partner Family members in 3,000 communities in 70 countries around the world.

Habitat for Humanity has been accurately described as “a hand-up, not a hand-out.” Habitat purposefully works in partnership WITH deserving families, who also contribute to Habitat in a number of ways. Selected Habitat families not only pay back their no-interest loan, but each adult in the Partner Family must also work on “Sweat Equity” hours, in order to purchase a Habitat home. For more information on who qualifies or how to apply for a home with North Central Iowa Habitat for Humanity, please visit the Homeownership section of our website.

HFH International

Who we are

Habitat for Humanity partners with people in your community, and all over the world, to help them build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. With your support, Habitat homeowners achieve the strength, stability and independence they need to build a better life for themselves and for their families. Through our 2020 Strategic Plan, Habitat for Humanity will serve more people than ever before through decent and affordable housing.

Non-proselytizing policy

Habitat for Humanity and its affiliate organizations will not proselytize. Nor will Habitat work with entities or individuals who insist on proselytizing as part of their work with Habitat. This means that Habitat will not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must adhere to or convert to a particular faith or listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith.