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Habitat International


Habitat Canada


Sweat Equity

What is Sweat Equity?

Sweat Equity is volunteer work done by the Partner Family as a requirement of the partnership with Habitat for Humanity Sarnia/Lambton. Sweat Equity has no cash value.

How much Sweat Equity does a Partner Family need to contribute?

  • 500 hours is expected.
  • Habitat encourages you to continue helping others with their houses even after you have completed the required minimum.

Who is eligible to contribute Sweat Equity?

  • All members of the immediate family who will be living in the house are eligible. Youth must be 16 years of age to work on the construction site. Younger members (minimum age 14) may help with work appropriate to their age.
  • Up to five relatives and friends may contribute sweat equity on your behalf to a maximum of 40% of the total Sweat Equity required and only during construction of the family home.

What kind of work qualifies for Sweat Equity?

  • Sweat equity can be worked in all aspects of building projects - on projects for other families and for your own - such as construction, preparing and/or serving food, security, clean-up and off-site painting; also general sales and labour, participation on a committee, publicity, booth work, mailings, fundraising, etc.

When can a Partner Family begin to contribute Sweat Equity?

  • When you have been selected as a "Qualified Habitat Family" and have signed a partnership agreement with Habitat for Humanity Sarnia-Lambton.

How does a Partner Family find out about opportunities to do sweat equity?

  • The Partner Family's contact will work with the family to identify and arrange Sweat Equity opportunities