Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge, Inc.

About

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge (HFHGBR) is a Christian-based ministry that builds and renovates houses in partnership with the community. We provide opportunities for families in need to purchase their own homes, build community and improve their lives. 

HFHGBR became an affiliate of Habitat International in 1989. Over our 28 year history in Greater Baton Rouge, Habitat has focused its efforts on building community by uplifting existing neighborhoods. Habitat has renovated and built more than 343 homes, and of these homes over 85% have been in older and often declining neighborhoods that have seen little to no renovation or construction. Habitat has built as many as 46 homes, and averages 20 homes per year. We have a proven history and capacity to build homes in a timely, efficient and cost effective manner. 

We also have experience responding to disaster situations, such as in the months following Katrina when thousands of people were forced to leave New Orleans with many relocating to Baton Rouge. In 2006 we built 46 homes with Katrina evacuees, more than tripling our building capacity that year. The 2016 Flood damaged over 142,000 homes in South Louisiana. Habitat gutted 72 flooded homes with community members in need. We set the goal of 100 Rebuilds with families in need, and started the rebuilding process directly after the August 2016 flood. 

Out of more than 1,100 Habitat for Humanity affiliates in the United States, only 49 have built 300 or more homes placing us in the top 4% of all United States affiliates. Habitat is not a handout but a "hand up." Homes are sold to partner families at no profit, and are financed by Habitat with an affordable, no interest, 20 year mortgage. Habitat homes cost roughly $95,000 to build and are sold for $76,000. The monthly note with insurance and taxes is about $375.00, which is about 62% lower than average monthly fair market rent for a three bedroom apartment in Baton Rouge. A typical Habitat home in Greater Baton Rouge is approximately 1,150 square feet with three bedrooms and one and one-half bathroom.