Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International officially began in 1976. Its founders, Millard and Linda Fuller, had earlier built some houses for families in rural southwest Georgia, as well as spending three years in Zaire doing the same.

Upon their return to the United States, the Fullers gathered a group of people together to discuss the idea of forming an organization to build houses for those in need throughout the United States, and in developing countries. Their mission was to put the tragedy of poverty housing and homelessness in the hearts and minds of people everywhere. And their goal was to eliminate poverty housing worldwide.

Since that small beginning, the Habitat organization has built more than 125,000 houses in more than 80 countries, and provided more than 625,000 people in over 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter.

The work of Habitat is accomplished at the local level by affiliates – independent, locally run, nonprofit organizations. Each affiliate coordinates all aspects of home building in its local area which includes fundraising, site selection, family selection and support, construction, and mortgage servicing. There are more than 2,200 active affiliates worldwide, including all 50 of the United States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

The headquarters for Habitat for Humanity International is located in Americus, Georgia. From that location, information, training, and a variety of other support services are provided to Habitat affiliates worldwide. Habitat affiliates also receive assistance from regional and area offices. To help fund Habitat work in other nations, each affiliate is asked to “tithe,” or give 10% of their contributions to International. However, 100% of local contributions that are designated for specific projects, stay at the local level.