History of Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity International was founded in 1976 in Americus, Georgia, USA by Linda and Millard Fuller.

The idea was sparked by Koinonia Farm, a small, interracial, Christian farming community founded in 1942 outside of Americus, by farmer and biblical scholar Clarence Jordan. The Fullers first visited Koinonia in 1965, having recently left a successful business in Montgomery, to begin a new life of Christian service.

At Koinonia, Jordan and Fuller developed the concept of "partnership housing" - where those in need of adequate shelter would work side by side with volunteers to build simple, decent houses.

The houses would be built with no profit added and no interest charged. Building would be financed by a revolving 'Fund for Humanity'. The fund's money would come from the new homeowners' house payments, donations and no-interest loans provided by supporters and money earned by fund-raising activities. The monies in the Fund for Humanity would be used to build more houses.
 
In 1973, the Fullers decided to apply the Fund for Humanity concept in developing countries. The Fuller family moved to Mbandaka, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). The Fullers' goal was to offer affordable yet adequate shelter to 2,000 people. After three years of hard work to launch a successful house-building program, the Fullers returned to the USA.
In September 1976, Millard and Linda called together a group of supporters to discuss the future of their dream. Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) as an organisation was born at this meeting. The eight years that followed proved that the vision was workable. Faith, hard work and direction set HFHI on its successful course.

In 1984 Habitat'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 in Habitat's ministry brought the organisation global visibility and sparked interest in Habitat's work across the U.S.A. nation and the world.

Habitat for Humanity New Zealand (HFHNZ) was founded in 1992, with the formation of the first New Zealand affiliate in the Franklin area (now a part of the  Auckland affilate).  In early 1998 an HFHNZ national office was established, which is currently located in Penrose, Auckland.