Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI)was founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller in Americus, Georgia.  Their vision was rooted in a belief in “partnership housing” - building simple, decent, affordable homes in partnership with families in need.  It grew into Habitat for Humanity International, with affiliates across the world.  By early 2009, Habitat affiliates had built 300,000 homes, providing more than 1.5 million people with affordable shelter.Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, became involved with HFHI in 1984 and remain our most visible volunteers to this day.

Habitat for Humanity of Milledgeville/Baldwin County (HFHMBC) was incorporated in 1994 and completed its first home in 1996.  In 2001 we hired our first Executive Director, who has since taken that same position with the Macon Area Habitat.  By 2002, we had  completed 11 homes and in February 2009, the 18th home was completed.  Habitat families are carefully pre-screened to ensure they meet the three primary criteria for home ownership:  a need for adequate housing; the ability to pay for the home and a willingness to partner with Habitat by completing a minimum of 300 hours of sweat equity labor.  The newly constructed homes are sold with no profit added, using a 20-year, zero percent interest mortgage and the monthly payments consist of the base mortgage amount, plus prorated escrows for homeowners insurance, county taxes and city taxes.  HFHMBC administers the mortgages and works with our partner families over the course of the loan.

HFHMBC is supported by donations from churches, businesses and individuals, plus the proceeds of the resale store, the ReStore.  New and gently used items for sale in the ReStore are sold at affordable prices and the proceeds support Habitat’s mission of eliminating substandard housing throughout Milledgeville and Baldwin County.