Habitat for Humanity International History

Though Habitat for Humanity was officially formed in 1976, its roots were laid in 1942 with the formation of Koinonia Farm, in Sumter County, Georgia. Clarence and Florence Jordan along with Martin and Mabel England formed Koinonia with the idea that people were equal regardless of their race. Working the farmland, the residents raised and sold produce to survive. In the mid 1950s local business owners boycotted products from Koinonia and the Jordan's were excommunicated from the Southern Baptist Church for their views on racial equality. Violence ensued and when assistance was requested from the Federal Government, the matter was passed to the Governor of Georgia who ordered an investigation into Koinonia on the basis of Communist activity.

Millard and Linda Fuller visited Koinonia in the mid 1960s and later formed the Fund for Humanity, an organization that built homes for people in need. By building homes and selling them to the poor and needy, at no profit and collecting no interest, the fund was able help many families afford homes where they would otherwise be stuck renting.

In 1976 the Fullers held a meeting with a group of supporters. During this meeting HFH was formed on the idea that the poor didn't need a handout, but instead capital to build with, HFH began building homes for those in need. In 1984 HFH came into the spotlight among American charitable organizations. With Former President Jimmy Carter helping to build homes in the New York area, national attention was raised.

In January 31, 2005, negative attention was generated by HFH. After accusations of sexual harassment, Millard and Linda Fuller were dismissed from the organization when some members felt that it was time of a change in corporate politics.

From its humble beginnings, HFH has evolved into a charitable non- profit organization building homes for millions of impoverished families from around the globe. It continues its endeavors in many different countries, all the while standing firm to the principle that every person deserves a decent home.

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