Transylvania Habitat's Story | Transylvania Habitat for Humanity

Our Story

Transylvania Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1984 in Brevard, NC, and is an affiliate of Habitat International. Through that time we’ve grown into one of western NC’s leading nonprofits for community service.

Located at 692 Ecusta Road in Brevard, NC, our offices are just behind the Habitat ReStore along Ecusta next to Sylvan Sport. The ReStore offers new and gently used furniture, home decor, vinyl records, building supplies and so much more. Proceeds directly help more families and individuals in our community gain the independence and dignity of home ownership. Our offices hold the Habitat staff that will help you begin your journey to own a forever home.

Transylvania Habitat builds homes for qualifying families and individuals who pay an affordable mortgage payment at no profit to Habitat. The mortgage payments help support building more homes.

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 Values

Christian principles that seek to put God’s love into action by building homes, communities and hope.

Transylvania Habitat Model

Habitat offers a hand up, not a hand out
Habitat builds homes and sells them to qualified families and individuals at no-profit
Community volunteers help keep costs down
Home buyers must meet qualifications based on need, willingness to partner, and ability to pay
Homeowners pay back an affordable mortgage, typically over 30 years
Mortgage payments depend on the size of house and family and do not exceed 30% of the homebuyers’ gross monthly income
Homeowners perform a minimum of 200 hours of sweat equity per applicant as part of their partnership with Habitat

How do we fund our projects as a nonprofit?

Donations from local individuals, churches and businesses
Sponsorships
Habitat ReStore profits
Grants
Homeowner mortgage payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply to own an Transylvania Area Habitat for Humanity home?

Anyone currently living or working in Transylvania County and who is 18 years of age or older and has the legal capacity to enter into a binding contract may apply for a Transylvania Habitat for Humanity home.

Do you have to have children to become a Habitat homeowner?

No. Anyone regardless of household makeup, color, sexuality, age, ethnicity, background, faith, etc. can apply for a home.

Do you give the houses away?

Habitat is not a give-away program. It is a “hand-up, not a hand-out”. Once approved, future homeowners work in partnership with volunteers. Future homeowners complete required sweat equity which includes taking Homeownership Classes, volunteering in the ReStore, and building their home and the homes of their neighbors. Homeowners pay back the cost of their house through an affordable mortgage.

Where does Habitat build?

Transylvania Habitat for Humanity’s service area is Transylvania County. We are currently building single-family homes in Don Ross Acres located near Rosman.

What kind of houses do you build?

Transylvania Habitat builds modest 1, 2, 3, and 4 bedroom single family houses. Houses can be either “stick built” (not pre-fabricated), or “modular” (fabricated) depending on the circumstances and are System Vision certified, reflecting our continued commitment to environmental sustainability.

What is your connection to Habitat for Humanity International?

Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. HFHI seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat for Humanity operates in nearly 1,400 communities across the U.S. and in over 70 countries around the world. We share a name and a vision with Habitat for Humanity International, but we are funded locally and are an independent corporation governed by a local board of directors.

Does Transylvania Area Habitat for Humanity donate any money to Habitat International?

Yes, we support Habitat for Humanity Romania through our tithe program.

Is Habitat a Christian organization?

Transylvania Habitat for Humanity was built on Christian principles, but our mission is to build decent affordable homes in our community. Since 1984, Transylvania Habitat an independent affiliate of the ecumenical Christian housing ministry – Habitat for Humanity International – has welcomed people of all faiths, ethnicity, sexuality, and backgrounds to its organization and communities. Our organization will not proselytize or work with any organizations who insist on proselytizing as part of their work with us. This means that Transylvania Habitat for Humanity will not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must adhere or convert to a particular faith or listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith.

If I want my donation to be used locally, where do I make my donation to Habitat?

Donating to our local affiliate means that your dollars remain in our county and help our residents directly. Together, we’ll build dreams, communities, and hope! Click HERE to head to our donation page and start your journey.

Transylvania Habitat for Humanity is a 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are 100% tax deductible as a charitable gift for federal income tax purposes.

In accepting and rejecting applications, Transylvania Habitat for Humanity must conform to all aspects of the Fair Housing Act and all Fair Housing Laws, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Privacy Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as any local applicable laws as they apply to applications for a mortgage.