About Us

Who We Are

We are an independently funded affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization seeking to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.

Our affiliate serves all of Bonner County, and was started in 1991 by Mike Schissler. While building homes in Mexico on a mission for his church, Mike decided that when he returned home to Sandpoint, he was going to start a program that builds homes for low-income families. He founded the Idaho Panhandle Habitat for Humanity and two years later, the first Habitat home was built. Mike passed away from a long fight with cancer and is survived by his wife Janine and his son Jeff. New homes are being built at Schissler Meadows in dedication to our founder.

Idaho Panhandle Habitat for Humanity is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Your donations may be tax deductible.

Board of Directors

Board Officers

Tom Harvill, President
Dan Wimberly, Vice President
Jim Payne, Secretary
Don Hanset, Treasurer
Curt Hagen, Fund Raising
Barb Merritt, Sponsor and Selection Committee
David Smith, Board Member

How Habitat for Humanity Works

• Homes are built for families who do not qualify for conventional bank loans
• Most of the labor is done by volunteers and by the families themselves
• Individuals, faith groups, and businesses contribute time and materials
• When the home is completed, the family makes a small down payment and gets a mortgage
• The mortgage covers the cost of the home, but without added interest charges
• Their monthly mortgage payments go into a revolving fund (the "Fund for Humanity") that helps build homes for other families
• Each homeowner is responsible for insurance, taxes, utilities, maintenance, and other standard homeowner expenses
• Each family must meet the following qualifications:
  • Have a housing need
  • Have a job
  • Be willing to accept the publicity associated with owning a Habitat home
  • Have enough income to support a small mortgage, but not enough to qualify for a conventional loan
  • Be willing to put in 300 hours or more of "sweat equity" on their home and on other Habitat homes
  
  

How Habitat for Humanity Helps Our Community

• A family is able to buy an affordable home
• This family is able to live and work locally
• The materials to build the home are purchased locally
• The minimal professional service required is obtained locally