History

Habitat for Humanity International (HHI) is an international ecumenical organization dedicated to eliminating poverty housing and homelessness by mobilizing local leadership and resources to expand access to decent, affordable shelter.  HHI was founded in 1976 in Americus, Georgia.  Its concept of “partnership housing” – when those in need of adequate shelter work side by side with volunteers to build simple, decent homes – was formed with the understanding that what the poor need is not charity but capital, not caseworkers but co-workers. For the first HHI projects, capital was raised, and homes were built and sold to families in need at no profit and no interest.  Out of these projects, the basic HHI model was born, and its success spread across the United States and beyond.  Habitat for Humanity – Teller County (HHTC) became an authorized HHI affiliate in 2000 after Teller County’s rural affordable housing needs extended beyond the capabilities of the Pikes Peak chapter in nearby Colorado Springs.  As a local affiliate, HHTC, an independent nonprofit, operates within HHI parameters with the goals of building homes and stability for residents and communities – uniting needy families with generous volunteers and building hope one house at a time.  To date, HHTC has completed 21 houses, ensuring that 18 families have new homes and new futures.

Mission

HHI is an international organization whose mission is to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.  HHI invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with diverse families in need.  As a local affiliate, HHTC has adopted the HHI mission with the goal of increasing the availability of affordable housing and ending the cycle of poverty in Teller County.