The idea that became Habitat for Humanity first grew from the fertile soil of Koinonia Farm, a community farm outside of Americus, Georgia, founded by farmer and biblical scholar Clarence Jordan.

On the farm, Jordan and Habitat’s eventual founders Millard and Linda Fuller developed the concept of “partnership housing.” The concept centered on those in need of adequate shelter working side by side with volunteers to build decent, affordable houses. The houses would be built at no profit. New homeowners’ house payments would be combined with no-interest loans provided by supporters and money earned by fundraising to create “The Fund for Humanity,” which would then be used to build more homes.

Habitat for Humanity is now a global nonprofit housing organization working in in approximately 70 countries around the world. Habitat’s vision is of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.

Habitat for Humanity Canada now has affiliates in every Canadian province and territory. The Habitat movement first spread to Canada in 1985, when the country’s first Habitat home was built in Winkler, Manitoba. Just two years later, Winnipeg became Habitat for Humanity Canada’s first local Habitat. Today, Habitat Canada is a leading national nonprofit, with 56 local Habitats working in every province and territory. With the help of these local Habitats, volunteers, and Habitat homeowners, Habitat Canada has provided a solid foundation for thousands of families to lead better, healthier lives in Canada and around the world.

Habitat for Humanity GO (Habitat GO) became an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity Canada in 1993. As one of 56 affiliates in Canada, Habitat GO is responsible for raising its own funds, organizing volunteers and building homes in partnership with families in need of affordable housing. The first Habitat GO home was built in 1994.

Click here to check out the timeline of Habitat GO.

Potential partner families are low-income, working families living in inadequate housing and who are willing to put in 500 hours (350 hours for single-parent families) of "sweat equity." Habitat homeowners make monthly payments on interest-free mortgages, which are 25% of their family income and includes taxes and insurance. Habitat believes that homeownership will help break the cycle of poverty facing many low-income working families.

Habitat for Humanity does not compete with other builders as Habitat services a clientele who could never afford to buy a house or qualify for a conventional mortgage.

Habitat for Humanity is funded through donations from volunteers, individuals, businesses, service clubs, foundations, manufacturers and distributors. Houses are built by volunteers, skilled trades people and journeymen who are caring individuals, enthusiastic about giving a family "a hand up, not a hand out". Manufacturers and distributors in the construction industry donate their products to help build houses and reduce costs.

The real miracle of Habitat is that it not only changes the lives of the families receiving the house, but it provides a tremendous sense of purpose and fulfillment for many volunteers and supporters.