Habitat for Humanity Tightens Requirements for Affiliates

Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit organization that builds and renovates houses for the poor, recently cut ties with 12 of its more than 1,600 local affiliates operating across the United States. The “disaffiliations” are part of a shift in mentality by Habitat International’s headquarters, in Americus, Ga., toward a more stringent and centralized approach to governing affiliate relationships, reports The New York Times.

Affiliates that are not active and that do not communicate or share revenue with the headquarters office may have their ties to the national office severed, the paper reports. While relationships between Habitat International and its affiliates have traditionally been governed by a two-page “covenant,” affiliates are now required to sign a more detailed document and are asked to tithe, which is to send the headquarters 10 percent of all donations that are not earmarked for a specific use.

While Habitat International refused to identify the local groups it cut from its roster, Elizabeth K. Blake, Habitat’s general counsel, said that such action is taken as a “final step” only under the condition that “there’s been no one at the receiving end who’s been responsive to us.” Ms. Blake said 61 affiliates have left the organization since 1998, but that such action is typically voluntary.

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