Guidance for raising concerns
Habitat for Humanity is committed to supporting a respectful and ethical workplace, safeguarding the rights of those we serve, and properly stewarding our donors’ funds and resources. In service to that commitment, and in accordance with its foundational mission principles, Habitat for Humanity and its local Habitat organizations all oppose any form of discrimination, harassment, exploitation and abuse.
This guidance is intended for all employees, volunteers, program participants, donors and vendors, as well as members of the public who engage with any Habitat organization. Habitat is committed to addressing all complaints in a timely, fair and respectful manner through a process that is as transparent as possible to Habitat stakeholders. Depending on the nature of the complaint, the Habitat for Humanity International staff receiving it will escalate the matter to the appropriate review, investigative or management channel within Habitat for Humanity International.
The reporting channels listed below are not intended to address emergencies or to be a substitute for contacting law enforcement. If you are facing a life-threatening emergency or believe you are facing the threat of imminent bodily harm, please contact your local police or emergency responders immediately.
Complaints relating to a local Habitat for Humanity organization
Within the U.S.
Each local Habitat organization in the United States is an independent organization called an affiliate that is overseen by its own board of directors and governing policies. If you have a complaint about one of Habitat’s U.S. affiliates, please contact that affiliate directly to discuss the issue or concern. To find your local Habitat affiliate’s contact information, please use our affiliate search.
If your concern relates to a U.S. affiliate’s leadership (e.g., a board president or executive director), or if you believe your concern cannot be adequately addressed or resolved by the U.S. affiliate, notify Habitat for Humanity International by contacting the Affiliate Support Center at [email protected] or (877) 434-4435, or by reporting a claim to the confidential Habitat Ethics and Accountability Line.
Outside the U.S.
Habitat for Humanity operates in more than 60 countries through country-level organizations. Most of them, called Habitat national organizations, are overseen by their own boards of directors. To report a concern relating to Habitat for Humanity outside the U.S., please contact the Habitat national organization where the issue has occurred.
If your complaint relates to the national organization’s leadership or if you believe it cannot be satisfactorily addressed by that organization, please notify the respective Habitat for Humanity International area office by reviewing the information listed below or by using Habitat for Humanity International’s confidential reporting line (Habitat Ethics and Accountability Line).
Asia Pacific | [email protected]
Europe, Middle East and Africa | [email protected]
Latin America and the Caribbean (English) | [email protected]
Latin America and the Caribbean (Español) | [email protected]
Suspected illegal or unethical activity
Habitat for Humanity International maintains a confidential reporting line for use by anyone who has a serious concern or wishes to remain anonymous. If your concern encompasses any of the following topics, please report it using the Habitat Ethics and Accountability Line (formerly known as the MySafeWorkplace® Ethics and Compliance Portal) as soon as possible.
- Discrimination (alleging on basis of race, color, gender, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, national origin or age).
- Harassment/bullying.
- Sexual exploitation and abuse.
- Bribery/kickbacks.
- Whistleblower retaliation.
- Misstatements in financials.
- Falsification of official records or reporting.
- Work site violence or other incident involving serious bodily injury or death.
- Conflict of interest.
- Legal or regulatory violations.
- Criminal activities.
- Data security breaches.
- Any significant or chronic compromise of work site safety.
Such complaints will be reviewed and managed by an independent team of investigators in Habitat for Humanity International’s Governance, Risk Management and Compliance department. This team will ensure that the matter is handled sensitively and confidentially, consistent with the priorities of protecting Habitat stakeholders and ensuring Habitat for Humanity International’s adherence to its legal and ethical obligations.
The Habitat Ethics and Accountability Line accepts information in most major languages. Reports can be made online or via telephone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Report a claim online using the Habitat Ethics and Accountability Line.
- Within the U.S., call toll-free (800) 461-9330.
- Outside of the U.S., call a local phone number (noted on the website) or call collect +1 (720) 514-4400.
Read our full ethics covenant and code of conduct and our safeguarding policy.