Niagara Area
Habitat for Humanity
Bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope.
Just an Hour of Your Time Can Forever Change the Life of a Family In Our Community
We Have a Vision of a World Where We Share One Humanity, and That's a World That We Fight for Everyday
George Floyd’s killing is a symptom of the persistent institutional and systemic racism embedded in our way of life in the United States. And while it’s painful for some of us to admit, the history is absolutely clear that systemic racism has directly shaped the communities we serve at Niagara Area Habitat for Humanity.
Racial covenants on tens of thousands of Western New York homes prohibited people of color from living in wide swaths of our community. Redlining, used by lenders and promoted by our government, further tightened boundaries on where people of color could live and denied access to home ownership. These housing policies and practices segregated our communities, shaped how communities of color are policed, and directly contributed to the racial disparities in home ownership, household wealth, health outcomes, and access to education which plague our community to this day.
And this is clear too: the systemic racism that created these disparities between Black and White families in Western New York is the same systemic racism that killed George Floyd.
Habitat for Humanity was born on a farm in South Georgia on the theory of radical inclusivity, at a time when inclusivity was seen by some as an existential threat. It’s a vision of a world we still believe in, and fight to build every day. Our vision is one that is welcoming to all. Our vision embraces diverse views. Our vision knows that no matter who we are or where we come from, we all deserve to have a decent life.”
The way we approach our work at Habitat has been a vehicle for reconciliation and has broken down barriers between people. We work alongside those willing to partner with us, no matter their background or walk of life, and that will always be true.
We must work to overcome the decades of racist housing policies and systemic racism which shape our community and we must be as intentional in closing these disparities as we were in creating them. We must speak out against injustice, listen to those who have been unheard, and demand better of ourselves and of our leaders. We must resolve to continue our fight for justice and to uproot the historical and systemic racism which plague our communities. And when Jesus commands us to love our neighbor, we must listen.
Click Below to Learn More About Volunteering With Us
Apply to Become a Homeowner!
Take the first steps towards affordable home ownership.
At present, we are not accepting new applications. To be contacted when the reapplication process reopens, contact Marco Notaro, Community Outreach Director, at 716-265-9010 or mnotaro@niagarahabitat.org.
You May Qualify If You Have:
1. Demonstrated Need for Housing
2. You Have the Ability to Pay for a Habitat Mortgage
3. Willingness to Partner and Perform Sweat Equity
The Benefits of Home-Ownership, For Both You and Your Family, Are Invaluable:
Children of homeowners make fewer visits to the emergency room for routine health problems.
70% of Habitat participants decreased their reliance on public assistance after becoming homeowners through Habitat for Humanity.
Read Some Testimonials From Past Participants
Our Current Projects
612 61st Street Niagara Falls, NY 14304
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we have made the decision to suspend all construction activities. As soon as we are able to do so safely, we will be breaking ground on our 30th home at 612 61st Street in Niagara Falls. We look forward to seeing all of our dedicated volunteers when we can safely begin building.