Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit Christian organization that renovates and builds houses for the poor throughout the world. To carry out this work, the organization relies on volunteers and donated materials. Its full name is Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI).
Families are chosen to receive a house based on their financial need, their willingness to help with Habitat’s work, and their ability to pay a no-interest, no-profit mortgage. The mortgage payments help fund the renovation and construction of more houses. The homeowners assist in building their own house and then help build houses for other families.
In 1976, Millard Fuller and his wife, Linda, founded Habitat for Humanity International. Millard Fuller was a millionaire businessman who sold all of his possessions and, in 1968, began helping to build houses for the poor in the state of Georgia in the United States. In 1973, the Fullers moved to what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo and continued the work of building houses for people in need. They returned to the United States three years later.
In 1984, Habitat for Humanity received national attention when former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, became volunteers. The organization has built houses in more than 100 countries and in all 50 U.S. states. Its headquarters are in Americus, Georgia. For more information, see its website at www.habitat.org.
