To increase operational efficiency, Habitat for Humanity of Chilton County and Autauga County Habitat for Humanity will combine to eliminate poverty housing both locally and around the world.

The move will allow the newly-expanded organization to provide safe, decent and affordable housing to more families in both Chilton and Autauga counties.

Jane Conradi, former president of the Chilton affiliate, says the two counties’ proximity will allow the partnership to run smoothly.

“We were looking for a way to build a stronger organization to build some more resources and share administrative costs, and we felt like the Autauga affiliate would be a good fit because they are a similar organization,” said Conradi, who plans to continue her service to Habitat as a board member.

Kelly Nice, program director for Autauga County Habitat for Humanity, said the partnership will increase Habitat’s ability to better serve families in need in both counties.

“Our mission remains the same — to eliminate poverty housing in our communities and around the world,” Nice said Tuesday.

Habitat for Humanity is a Christian homebuilding organization that builds simple, decent homes in partnership with people in need who are living in substandard conditions.

Habitat for Humanity works with community groups and volunteers to build the homes.

Habitat relies on donations of labor, building materials and land to help keep the cost of the houses down.

Habitat for Humanity selects homeowners based on their need for adequate housing, their ability to repay a no-profit mortgage and their willingness to partner by helping to build their home and the homes of others in the program. Once Habitat for Humanity sells a home to a partner family, the family owns the home just like any other mortgage holder.

Their monthly no-profit mortgage payments go back to Habitat and are put into a revolving fund to help build even more homes.