Salt Lake Habitat for Humanity

In 1965 Millard and Linda Fuller, visited Koinonia, a farming community founded in 1942 by Clarence Jordan. There, Jordan and the Fullers developed the idea for affordable housing that would later become Habitat for Humanity.

Jordan and the Fullers developed the idea of “partnership-housing”—where those needing shelter would work with volunteers to build simple, decent homes. The houses would be built with no profit added or interest charged. In addition the funds for construction would come from a revolving fund called the Fund for Humanity. The fund’s money would come from donations, new homeowner’s house payments, no-interest loans from supporters, and fund-raising events. This way Habitat could continue to build houses for those in need.

We see the vision that the Fullers and Jordan had in the following letter:

What the poor need is not charity but capital, not case workers but co-workers. And what the rich need is a wise, honorable and just way of divesting themselves of their overabundance. The Fund for Humanity will meet both these needs. Money for the fund will come from shared gifts by those who feel that they have more than they need and from non-interest bearing loans from those that can not afford to make the gift but who do want to provide working capital for the disinherited…The fund will give away no money. It is not a handout.

In 1968 Koinoia laid out 42 half-acre sites for homes. Capital was donated from around the country. Homes were then built for families in need with no interest of profit.

In 1973 the Fuller's moved to Mdbandaka, Zaire. Their goal was to offer affordable and adequate shelter to 2,000 people. After three years of hard work building a successful program, the Fullers returned to the United States.

In September 1976, the Fullers met with supporters to discuss the future of their dream. Habitat for Humanity was officially born at this meeting. The following eight years proved that the vision of a perpetual housing fund would work. Faith, hard work and direction set Habitat on its successful course.

Through the work of Habitat, thousand of low-income families have found new hope in the form of affordable housing. Churches, community groups, and others have joined together to tackle a significant social problem—decent living for all.

Today Habitat for Humanity has built more than 200,000 houses, sheltering more that 1,000,000 people of all backgrounds in over 2,000 communities worldwide.