Habitat for Humanity of Genesee County, NY

“Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope.”

Summary

Habitat for Humanity, International (HFHI) was founded in 1979 by Millard and Linda Fuller. Through the work of Habitat, thousands of low-income families have found new hope in the form of affordable housing. Churches, community groups, and others have joined together to successfully tackle a significant social problem – decent housing for all.

Habitat is not a give-away program. Habitat houses are sold to our partner families at no profit, financed with affordable no-interest mortgages. Habitat homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor-sweat equity-into building their houses. Homeowners’ mortgage payments go into a revolving fund for Humanity that is used to build more houses. Through tithes offered on funds raised locally, Habitat partners also fund the construction of homes worldwide!

Since its founding, Habitat for Humanity International has built over 500,000 houses worldwide and a new Habitat home is completed every 21 minutes.

Historical Timeline

The concept that grew into HFHI was born at Koinonia Farm, a small, interracial, Christian community outside of Americus, Georgia. Koinonia Farm was founded in 1942 by farmer and biblical scholar Clarence Jordan. The Fullers first visited Koinonia in 1965. They had recently left a successful business and an affluent lifestyle in Montgomery, Alabama to begin a new life of Christian service. At Koinonia, Jordan and 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 simple, decent homes.

In 1968, Koinonia laid out 42 half-acre house sites with four acres reserved as a community park and recreational area. Capital was donated from around the country to start the work. Homes were built and sold to families in need at no profit and no interest. The basic model of Habitat for Humanity was begun.

In September 1976, Millard and Linda called together a group of supporters to discuss the future of their dream. Habitat for Humanity International as an organization was born at this meeting. The eight years that followed, vividly described in Millard Fuller’s book, “Love in the Mortar Joints,” proved that the vision of a housing ministry was workable. Faith, hard work and direction set HFHI on its successful course.

In 1984, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn took their first Habitat work trip, the Jimmy Carter Work Project, to New York City. Their personal involvement in Habitat’s ministry brought the organization national visibility and sparked interest in Habitat’s work across the nation. Habitat staff and volunteers built the 500,000th house in partnership with the Ngugis family in Maai Mahiu, Kenya. The Ngugis are one of 350 families who fled after the post-election tribal violence forced them from their former homes in 2007. With no signs of slowing, Habitat looks forward to reaching new milestones and with support from passionate community members no milestone is unreachable.

Habitat for Humanity of Genesee County, NY

The Genesee County affiliate has been active since 1999. We are currently working on our 9th home, located at 11 Raymond Avenue in the City of Batavia. We have built new homes and rehabs in Pavilion, Alexander, and Batavia. Just like all the other Habitat affiliates around the world, we in Genesee County thrive on the dedication and support of our volunteers.

ReStore

ReStore is an extension of Habitat for Humanity. ReStore strives to serve God’s people in need while practicing environmental stewardship. Located in Batavia, ReStore serves the surrounding community and all are welcome to donate and shop. It functions as a retail business which accepts and sells donated goods such as appliances, building materials, and household items to the general public. Proceeds from sales help to fund Habitat for Humanity construction projects. ReStore hours are Thursdays 9-12 and Saturdays 9-2.

Growth in the future

In addition to building homes for partner families, we are building a new home for Habitat. Located at 230 Ellicott Street in Batavia, the Habitat Center will soon become the home to both the affiliate main office and the ReStore. In September 2010, Chuck Brumsted donated the property to us. To many people, the building is remembered as Cristina’s Italian Bistro which was partially destroyed by a fire in 2008. Currently, we have obtained a building permit and the renovation project has begun.

For more information, contact our office at info@geneseehabitat.com or learn more about Habitat for Humanity at http://www.habitat.org/