2010-2011 Board of Directors

Deborah Ford              President                   Naperville

Terry Cicero                Vice President          West Chicago

David Sommer            Treasurer                  Wheaton

Bobbi Burgstone        Secretary                    Oswego

Gene Huxhold              Director                      Barrington

Keith Chesterton        Vice President          Freeport

Daniel Caudy               Treasurer                   Elmhurs

Jim McGrath               General Counsel      Oak Forest

Committee Members

Jim Carr                     Clarendon Hills

Don Wendel               Westmont

Jim Hogan                  Plainfield

About Us

The mission of Habitat for Humanity of Illinois (Habitat Illinois) is to work in partnership with 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 52 Habitat affiliates, which collectively build about 80 houses annually.

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 efforts and responsibilities include capacity building training, communication, public relations, and technical assistance for affiliate staff and volunteers. Habitat for Humanity of 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, homeowners report that home ownership 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 no-profit, no-interest loans and typically require a $500 down payment in combination with 500 “sweat equity” hours. 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 $40,000. 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 24 State Support Organizations affiliated with Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI). Founded in 1976, HFHI has built more than 300,000 houses in 100 countries. It ranks as the 18th largest homebuilder in the U.S.

Habitat Illinois is governed by a Board of Directors, which meets quarterly in Downers Grove. To inquire about being considered for a Board position, please contact Executive Director Bobbi Burgstone.

Habitat for Humanity of Illinois

323 Grape Vine Trail, Oswego, IL  60543

630-551-0160 phone  •  630-551-4040 fax

HFHIllinois@aol.com

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