History of Habitat

Habitat for Humanity International

Founded 1976 - Christian ecumenical housing ministry

Founded by Millard Fuller, who was a millionaire lawyer at the age of 29. As his business prospered, his health, integrity and marriage suffered. These crises prompted Fuller to re-evaluate his values and direction. His soul searching led to reconciliation with his wife and to a renewal of his Christian commitment. They decided to sell all of their possessions, give their money to the poor and begin searching for a new focus on life. He then founded Habitat for Humanity International.

HFHI International now has over 2000 affiliates world wide and has built over 125,000 simple, decent, affordable homes for families in need.

Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity

Founded by small committed group of volunteers in 1985

1st home built in 1994

To date, we have completed 50 homes in Iowa Valley (which includes Johnson, Iowa and Cedar counties)

What we do here: new home building from the ground up. Limited number of re-habs.

Habitat International is the base of all local affiliates, and we get a lot of support and guidance from that relationship.  Since Habitat for Humanity is a global partnership, each affiliate is expected to contribute a tithe of a least 10% of its cash contributions to Habitat's international work.  These contributions all add up and the numbers are very impressive: now at work in 92 countries, Habitat for Humanity builds a house every 26 minutes.

Tithe - our sister city is Cuernavaco Mexico. We donate $1,000 to Curenavaco for every home that is completed in Iowa Valley Publicity, information, but not money from international.

The Habitat for Humanity Mission Statement:
Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with God and people everywhere, from all walks of life, to put our faith in action by building affordable, quality houses with families in need to eliminate poverty housing, one family at a time.