Habitat for Humanity is an independent, charitable, faith-based housing program dedicated to the elimination of poverty housing by building homes in partnership with families in need. We build simple, decent, and affordable houses and provide interest-free mortgages to families who would otherwise not be able to purchase their own home. The Habitat program is about home ownership and providing a long-term solution designed to break the poverty cycle.

How did Habitat Start?

Habitat for Humanity International was founded in 1976 in Americus, Georgia by Millard and Linda Fuller. The program developed from the concept of “partnership housing”, based on Christian principles, where those in need of adequate shelter work side by side with volunteers from every walk of life to build simple, decent houses.

Habitat for Humanity Canada was born in 1985, with the foundation of the first Canadian affiliate in Winkler Manitoba. In early 1988 an Habitat for Humanity Canada national office was established, which is currently located in Waterloo, Ontario.

Mission

• A hand up not a handout
• Long-term goal of eliminating substandard and poverty housing
• Partnership between volunteers, homeowners, churches, businesses and communities
• Ecumenical Christian based housing ministry
• Inclusive, non-discriminatory policies
• Non-profit, non-government organization
• Interest-free, long-term mortgage payments put into a ‘revolving fund’ which is *used to build more houses
• Partner families are chosen on basis of need, ability to repay mortgage, and a willingness to partner and provide sweat equity at build.

Habitat For Humanity Vancouver Island North

We built two homes in 2004, two in 2006 and two in 2007, all in Courtenay. To raise funds for these home-building projects, we build playhouses and sheds to raffle off at fairs and private functions. We do deconstructions, which keep tons of waste out of the landfills and all recovered building materials are sold at our ReStore locations in Courtenay and Campbell River.