Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) is a global nonprofit organization founded in 1976 with the mission of building safe, decent, and affordable housing for those in need. Rooted in Christian values, HFHI emphasizes that shelter is a basic human right and actively addresses issues like urban overcrowding and rural water access. The organization operates in approximately ninety countries, collaborating with local communities to select families based on need and willingness to partner, requiring future homeowners to invest "sweat equity" hours as part of the homebuilding process. HFHI also engages a diverse range of volunteers, including students and corporate partners, to mobilize resources for building and rehabilitating homes.
In addition to constructing homes, HFHI runs Habitat ReStores, which sell donated building materials to fund its projects. The organization has received recognition for its commitment to sustainable building practices, including energy-efficient designs. HFHI hosts various initiatives, from community improvement programs to disaster response efforts, and has garnered awards for its impact and trust in the nonprofit sector. The organization remains dedicated to fostering independence and improving community resilience around the world.
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) was formed in 1976 as an ecumenical Christian ministry devoted to building safe, decent, affordable, and secure living spaces. Its mission is "Seeking to put God’s love into action; Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope." The strategy is to strengthen, stabilize, and inspire independence by working with homeowner families, volunteers, donated materials, and financial donors to build and rehabilitate homes for the poor in ninety countries throughout the world. At its core, the ministry believes shelter is a basic human right for all people. Its mission is an activist response to slum conditions in which the urban poor find themselves. The ministry attacks overcrowding in cities, brings running water to rural homes, and strives to break the cycle of poverty. HFHI recruits individuals and maintains strategic partnerships with schools and universities and also partners with companies, corporations, and foundations committed to sustainability in order to help millions of people move into decent shelters.
Background
Millard Dean Fuller (1935–2009) founded HFHI in 1976, and the ministry grew as an extension of his commitment to build affordable housing everywhere. Fuller was a self-made millionaire but considered himself a Christian and strived to do God’s work by helping others. First, he moved to an interracial farm community in 1968 and later to the central African country of Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) as a missionary. Upon his return to the United States, he and his family built simple housing for low-income families with Fuller using his business acumen and charisma to mobilize volunteers and collect donations. Homeowners covered the cost of some materials and paid interest-free mortgages. The program was first called Partnership Housing.
Fuller was awarded more than fifty honorary degrees, and President Bill Clinton awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom for making the dream of home ownership a reality in America and the world. In addition to their headquarters in Georgia, HFHI works in seventy countries grouped into five regions around the world.
HFHI works with local selection committees to narrow the application process based on need, willingness to partner in the program, and ability to repay the loan (some interest is charged in countries with unstable currencies). Homeowners commit to five hundred hours of "sweat equity" as their down payment, and HFHI uses volunteers from schools and universities, religious institutions, and corporations. Some funds are generated from church donations, but HFHI makes no profit on any of the homes they build and turn over. Habitat ReStores are outlet sales centers that sell new and used building materials donated by businesses, and profits are put toward building additional homes and rehab projects.
Habitat for Humanity Today
In one US community, sixty-six homes with a market value exceeding $120,000 have been built in a decade, and $14.6 million of economic activity have been generated. For every HFHI dollar, the regional economy adds forty-seven cents in economic activity. Local volunteers donate 1,100 hours of service, and a total estimated donation of $26,488 to the construction of each home is gathered from various sources. The homes have generated more than $878,000 in new tax revenues for the local government.
HFHI is committed to "green building," making houses energy efficient by using materials supporting sustainability. US affiliates gained LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building certification after completing a housing project in River Falls, Wisconsin, known as Eco-Village, which broke ground in 2011; HFH Tajikistan (former USSR nation Stalinabad) was awarded the Global Energy Award in 2010 for a resource-saving bio-sand water-filter project.
A new project is "Brush with Kindness," which combines affordable housing and programs specifically designed to improve communities; volunteers help other homeowners improve up the exteriors of surrounding homes where HFHI is active. There are also international trips for trained volunteers to destinations of their choice for nine to fourteen days. HFHI is an active participating agency in the US funded Corporation for National and Community Service as a way of maximizing volunteers and other HFHI resources. HFHI is affiliated with AmeriCorps, a national volunteer service organization that has built over two thousand homes. HFHI has an RV Care-A-Van program with volunteers driving their vehicles to HFHI sites to work as their time allows. The Women Build volunteer program has completed 1,400 homes since 1991. There are youth programs, campus chapters, collegiate challenges, and annual events like the Jimmy Carter Work Project "blitz build," the Home Builders Blitz, and the AmeriCorps Build-a-Thon.
HFHI also has special initiatives such as Habitat organized housing construction and rehab programs following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and in Bangladesh following a major cyclone.
In April 2016, HFHI announced its new Nissan and Heisman Trust. Nissan Motors is partnering with the Heisman Trophy Trust for construction of a Habitat home in a community where Nissan has a business presence. High-profile football quarterbacks are leading youth clinics and engaging with youth members of Boys and Girls Clubs to inspire their participation in the HFHI house-building program.
HFHI is "Brand of the Year" in Social Services Nonprofit category based on the 2016 Harris Poll EquiTrend Equity Score. This is HFHI’s second consecutive year as award recipient. Adding gravitas to HFHI’s reputation is being named the "Most Loved" and "Most Trusted" brand.
In 2023, Habitat for Humanity's MicroBuild Fund won the Silver World Habitat award for its work in helping low-income families in developing countries build or improve their homes. In 2024, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International Jonathan Reckford was awarded the Administrator of the Year award by the Romney Institute of Public Service and Ethics.
Bibliography
Adarkwas, K. K., and R. A. Oppong. "Poverty Reduction Through the Creation of a Livable Housing Environment: A Case Study of Habitat for Humanity International Housing Units in Rural Ghana." Property Management, vol. 25, no. 1, 2006, pp. 7–26. ResearchGate, doi:10.1108/02637470710723236. Accessed 20 Dec. 2024.
“Beyond the House: How Habitat’s Investments Ripple across the Local Economy.” Habitat for Humanity, 2020, www.habitat.org/sites/default/files/documents/Economic‗Impact‗Report-2020.pdf. Accessed 20 Dec. 2024.
Eriks, Christine, et al. "A Study of the Psycho, Social, and Economic Impact of a US Habitat for Humanity Affiliate." Housing Care and Support, vol. 18, no. 1, 1998, pp. 12–25. ResearchGate, doi:10.1108/HCS-07-2014-0018. Accessed 20 Dec. 2024.
Haffner, M., et al. "Access and Affordability: Rent Regulation." International Encyclopedia of Housing and Home, 2012, pp. 40-45. doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-047163-1.00209-5. Accessed 20 Dec. 2024.
Jaques, Kiley. “Habitat for Humanity's Largest Net Zero and LEED Platinum Affordable Housing Development.” U.S. Green Building Council, 1 Feb. 2016, www.usgbc.org/articles/habitat-humanitys-largest-net-zero-and-leed-platinum-affordable-housing-development. Accessed 20 Dec. 2024.
"Nissan and Heisman Trust Partner with Habitat for Humanity to Build a Real ‘Heisman House’ in Nashville." Habitat for Humanity Press Release, 2016, www.habitat.org/newsroom/2016/04-21-Nissan-Heisman-Trust. Accessed 20 Dec. 2024.
“Our Mission, Vision and Principles.” Habitat for Humanity, www.habitat.org/about/mission-and-vision. Accessed 20 Dec. 2024.
Youngs, Bettie B. The House That Love Built: The Story of Linda & Millard Fuller, Founders of Habitat for Humanity and the Fuller Center for Housing. Hampton Roads, 2007.