The Blah-Colored House That Habitat Built

Habitat for Humanity has been pledged $100 million for its international and American programs. Largest gift ever! Expected to help 60,000 families! 

Cha-ching!

I once took a tour of a local Habitat for Humanity office. On one long wall, they showed us all the paint colors the new home owners could choose from -- neutral tans and grays and beiges. 

"And below the paint colors," our tour guide pointed, smiling, "you'll see the matching trim colors." More tans and grays and beiges. 

I couldn't help but ask: what if a new homeowner wanted to trim their new tan house with the trim that was supposed to go with the gray? 

"They can't do that," said the tour guide. 

And if the homeowner wanted a vibrant blue or orange or purple paint? 

"Just not allowed." 

Probably, Habitat's intention is to avoid eyesores, but their stance is absurdly paternalistic. When I was a new homeowner, I was grateful for advice on plantings and painting and all the rest. But when adults who've worked hard to get into a home don't get to decide on their own what colors to paint it, something's deeply wrong. 

The irony -- Habitat gives people literal ownership. But what about the more broad idea ownership that comes when you get to decide what makes your house a home?