What is Habitat for Humanity Canada?
Habitat for Humanity broke ground on its first home in Canada in 1985. Now, each year about 50,000 volunteers work with 69 Habitat for Humanity affiliates nationwide, helping to break the cycle of poverty for hundreds of low-income Canadian families. Habitat for Humanity Canada is a member of Habitat for Humanity International, which has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 500,000 houses worldwide, providing safe, decent and affordable shelter for more than 2 million people.How does Habitat for Humanity work?
Through volunteer labour, efficient management and tax-deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat for Humanity builds and rehabilitates safe, decent and affordable houses with the help of the homeowner (partner) families. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and are financed with affordable, no-interest mortgages. The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments go into a revolving fund, which is used to build more homes.
Habitat for Humanity is a hand up, not a hand out. In addition to mortgage payments, each homeowner invests hundreds of hours of their own labour, called “sweat equity”, into the building of their home and the homes of others.
What is the historical background?
Habitat for Humanity International was founded in 1976 in Americus, Georgia by Linda and Millard Fuller. The organization developed from the idea of partnership housing – where those in need of adequate shelter work side by side with volunteers from all walks of life to build safe, decent and affordable houses for families in need.
In 1984, Habitat for Humanity’s most famous volunteer, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, along with his wife, Rosalyn, participated in their first Habitat build project. Their personal involvement with Habitat for Humanity brought increased visibility and sparked interest in the organization throughout North America and around the world.
Click here to learn more about the Jimmy Carter Work Project
Habitat for Humanity Canada was founded in 1985, with the inaugural meeting and first home built in Winkler, Manitoba. In early 1988, the Habitat for Humanity Canada national office was established in Waterloo, Ontario.
What is the size and scope of the organization?
Habitat for Humanity has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 500,000 houses worldwide, providing safe, decent and affordable shelter for more than 2 million people.
Since 1985, Habitat for Humanity Canada has dedicated over 2,000 homes nationwide. There are currently 69 affiliates in 10 provinces and two territories and 73 ReStores.
