What is Habitat for Humanity?

The Habitat for Humanity movement was founded in 1976 in Americus, Georgia. The program developed from the concept of "partnership housing" where those in need of adequate shelter work side by side with volunteers from all walks of life to build simple, decent houses.

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 brought the organization increased visibility and sparked interest in Habitat's work throughout North America and around the world.

In 1985 the movement spread to Canada with the formation of the first Canadian affiliate in Winkler, Manitoba. From these simple beginnings the Habitat for Humanity movement in Canada has grown to 70 affiliates in 10 provinces and two territories and has been successful in placing more than 1,000 families into new homes.

Habitat for Humanity now spans over 90 countries and is responsible for placing over 225,000 families into new homes around the world.


Habitat for Humanity HRM is a community-based, non-profit organization working for a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. Our mission is to mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting homeownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty. Our Affiliate, established in 1992, is a member of Habitat for Humanity Canada.

Since 1992, 25 Habitat Homes have been built in the Halifax Regional Municipality, housing over 100 men, women, and children. In 2007, Habitat HRM built four homes and hosted the first Women Build in Nova Scotia, a home that is constructed primarily by women. In 2008 we built one home for a deserving family. In 2009 we will be building four homes in the community of Spryfield. We also have a ReStore, a building supply store that sells donated new and used building supplies. Proceeds from the sales go towards our Habitat builds!

Habitat HRM is now helping provide affordable housing for families in other parts of Nova Scotia. We now have a South Shore Chapter that dedicated its first home in Bridgewater in 2008, and is currently planning a second build in Liverpool for Summer 2009. We recently added two more projects to our family - one in the Annapolis Valley and one in Sydney, Cape Breton. Both projects will be renovating homes in 2009.

Some of our Past Sponsors!

All this information is from the following Habitat for Humanity Websites: http://habitathrm.com/default2.asp?active_page_id=5 and http://habitat.ca/historyp2.php