Since the beginning of its inception Millard and Linda Fuller decided that Habitat homes were going to have a particular guideline for how they were made.   
Any type of house that Habitat builds follows the same guidiing principles meaning that they are all simple, decent, and affordable. By simple Habitat means that they are modestly sized, but large enough for the homeowner family's needs, but small enough to keep construction and maintenance costs to a minimum. By decent Habitat uses quailty, locally avialable building materials. The house design also reflects local climate and culture. The homes are affordable because volunteers and partner familes help build the homes, the loans have no interest, the houses are a modest size, and the building methods are efficient.

    Since Habitat builds homes in approximatly 82 countries around the world, and the houses reflect the local cliamte and culture, Habitat builds different styles of homes. In the United States and Canada the homes are built using wood frame construction, with Gypsum board interior walls, vinyl siding and asphalt shingle roofs. Houses in many African countries are constructed with fired clay bricks, tile roofs made of cement or fired clay. Houses in Latin America are often built with concrete blocks or adobe walls and metal roofs. Houses in the Pacific are often built with wood frames and constucted on stilts.