History and Vision
Habitat for Humanity International is a world service organization providing affordable homes with interest-free mortgages to families in need. Founded by Millard and Linda Fuller, Habitat's long-term dream is to eradicate housing projects around the world, and to replace them with solid, single-family homes built by volunteers and the future owners themselves.
Athens Area Habitat for Humanity, an independent affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, is an ecumenical, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the elimination of substandard housing in Clarke, Oconee, and Oglethorpe counties in the state of Georgia. Our organization was founded in 1988 based on our strong belief that everyone in the Athens community deserves the opportunity to live in safe, decent, affordable homes. Since its inception, Athens Area Habitat for Humanity has served more than 73 families in partnership with businesses and countless volunteers.
In August, Athens Area Habitat will celebrate twenty-three years of serving the Athens community, marking a significant milestone for not only the organization, but also the community. Athens Area Habitat continues to develop community-wide programs in partnership with businesses to provide affordable solutions to those in need.
Habitat for Humanity is unique because our service is made possible through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials. Significantly, the way we pursue our mission is just as important as accomplishing it. Habitat builds simple, decent houses with the help of the partner families and sells them to qualifying families at no-profit and no-interest. A Habitat home is a hand up, not a hand out. Habitat homeowners work side by side with volunteers, cutting the cost of building the house. Homeowners must repay the cost of building their home with no interest charge and 100% of the mortgage payments going towards the funding of future Habitat houses.