Since its founding in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller, Habitat for
Humanity International has built and rehabilitated hearly 200,000
homes with families in need, becoming a true world leader in addressing
the issues of poverty housing.
Koinonia Farm and the Fund for Humanity
The concept that grew into Habitat for Humanity International
was born at Koinonia Farm, a small, interracial, Christian farming community
founded in 1942 outside of Americus, Ga., by farmer and biblical scholar
Clarence Jordan. The Fullers first visited Koinonia in 1965, having
recently left a successful business in Montgomery, Ala., and all the
trappings of an affluent lifestyle to begin a new life of Christian
service. At Koinonia, Jordan and Fuller developed the concept of "partnership
housing" -- where those in need of adequate shelter would work
side by side with volunteers to build simple, decent houses.
The houses would be built with no profit added and no interest charged.
Building would be financed by a revolving Fund for Humanity. The fund's
money would come from the new homeowners' house payments, donations
and no-interest loans provided by supporters and money earned by fund-raising
activities. The monies in the Fund for Humanity would be used to build
more houses.
In 1968, Koinonia laid out 42 half-acre house sites with four acres
reserved as a community park and recreational area. Capital was donated
from around the country to start the work. Homes were built and sold
to families in need at no profit and no interest. The basic model of
Habitat for Humanity was begun.
Zaire
In 1973, the Fullers decided to apply the Fund for Humanity
concept in developing countries. The Fuller family moved to Mbandaka,
Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). The Fullers' goal was
to offer affordable yet adequate shelter to 2,000 people.
After three years of hard work to launch a successful house building
program, the Fullers returned to the United States.
Habitat for Humanity International
In September 1976, Millard and Linda called together a group
of supporters to discuss the future of their dream. Habitat for Humanity
International (HFHI) as an organization was born at this meeting. The
eight years that followed, vividly described in Millard Fuller's book,
Love in the Mortar Joints, proved that the vision of a housing ministry
was workable. Faith, hard work and direction set HFHI on its successful
course.
Phenomenal Growth
In 1984, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn
took their first Habitat work trip, the Jimmy Carter Work Project, to
New York City. Their personal involvement in Habitat's ministry brought
the organization national visibility and sparked interest in Habitat's
work across the nation. HFHI experienced a dramatic increase in the
number of new affiliates around the country.
The Results
Through the work of Habitat, thousands of low-income families
have found new hope in the form of affordable housing. Churches, community
groups and others have joined together to successfully tackle a significant
social problem -- decent housing for all.
Today, Habitat for Humanity has built nearly 200,000 homes, sheltering
almost 1 million people in more than 3,000 communities worldwide.
