2011-2012 Board of Directors

Habitat Illinois is governed by this Board of Directors. A Board or committee member commits to active involvement in at least one project, such as fundraising, advocacy, conference planning, social media, electronics recycling, grant research or writing, material acquisition, web services, or PR/marketing.

Board qualifications include:  previous non-profit Board experience, Illinois residency, and a minimum $1,000 give-or-get commitment. Board meetings occur bi-monthly on Saturday mornings in Western Springs, IL.

To become involved, please contact Executive Director Bobbi Burgstone at 630-551-0160 or HFHIllinois@aol.com.

About Us

The mission of Habitat for Humanity of Illinois (Habitat Illinois) is to work in partnership with the 51 Illinois Habitat affiliates, developing communities by building houses with people in need. Habitat is dedicated to eradicating poverty housing. Life in poverty housing crushes dreams. But decent homes transform lives!  Renewed hope is built into each new Habitat home.

Habitat for Humanity of Illinois is a non-profit housing organization. Founded in 1999, the organization works statewide in association with the 51 Habitat affiliates, which collectively build or repair about 80 houses annually, and the 16 Habitat ReStores, which are similar to home improvement stores. From 1983 through 2009, 1,373 Habitat homes have been constructed or rehabbed in Illinois.

Based in Oswego, Habitat Illinois is this state’s Support Organization, established with the purpose of strengthening Illinois affiliates, advocating for affordable housing, and securing resources – both financial and material – that would not otherwise be available to individual affiliates.

Additional responsibilities include capacity building training, communication, fundraising, media relations, and technical assistance for affiliate staff and volunteers. Habitat Illinois participates in the Regional Affordable Housing Roundtable and Housing Action Illinois, collaborations of more than 200 organizations in Illinois working toward accessible, affordable shelter.

According to HUD, homeownership contributes to creating greater family stability, to feelings of belonging, to building personal financial stability, and to saving money and establishing personal credit.

The U.S. Census Bureau points out that there are three ways to help people afford homes: lower interest rates, lower down payment requirements, and down payment subsidies.

Illinois Habitat for Humanity affiliates provide these solutions through zero-profit, zero-interest loans and typically require a $300-700 down payment in combination with 500 “sweat equity” hours. There is no bank involved -- Habitat holds the mortgages. Habitat Illinois has provided 42 new homeowners with down payment subsidies of $6,000 through its Federal Home Loan Bank grants.

Salaries of potential homeowners commonly range between $18,000 and $45,000. Habitat partner families purchase the homes on which they work alongside devoted volunteers. Their monthly mortgage payments finance the construction of future Habitat homes.

In collaboration with thousands of dedicated Habitat volunteers, Habitat for Humanity of Illinois is chiseling away at sub-standard housing, fortifying communities, and strengthening families throughout Illinois.

Habitat Illinois is one of 29 State Support Organizations affiliated with Habitat for Humanity International . Founded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity has built more than 400,000 houses across 90 countries. It ranks as the 8th largest homebuilder in the U.S.

Habitat for Humanity of Illinois

323 Grape Vine Trail, Oswego, IL  60543

630-551-0160 •  HFHIllinois@aol.com

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