Jim Helfenbein is a veteran and Habitat for Humanity is helping him building his house in Ocean View. His completed house will be the 20th the West Hawaii affiliate has built. (Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity)

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Habitat for Humanity marked a major milestone Nov. 6 when it began construction of the 800,000th home that the organization has built, rehabilitated or repaired around the world since it was founded in 1976.

The home is being built by Atlanta Habitat for Humanity.

Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii is among the more than 2,300 Habitat affiliates worldwide that have made this milestone possible, having built, renovated or repaired 39 houses since its founding in 2002.

The Habitat model and revolving fund spur its incredible growth rate. Habitat for Humanity International began in 1976 and, 25 years later, the 100,000th house was built. It took only another 10 years to hit 500,000 houses. Now, two years later, the 800,000th house is complete.

“We are so proud to have contributed to this milestone, and excited about the future,” said Patrick Hurney, Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii. “In FY 2014, our affiliate is planning to increase the number of families served through new construction and repairs. We aim to build 10 new homes and complete 25 repairs. We are thrilled that our ambitious build schedule reflects the growth that Habitat International has demonstrated.”

With an average of five people per Habitat home, this milestone house represents an estimated 4 million people who have improved their living conditions through Habitat’s housing solutions in the more than 70 countries around the world where Habitat works.

“This milestone house celebrates the dedication and commitment of many hands and hearts that share our vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International.

“Anchored by the conviction that housing provides a critical foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty, Habitat is committed to helping more families, partnering and advocating with other groups to create new housing opportunities and inspiring people to take action to end poverty housing,” he said. “Thank you to our many donors, partners, volunteers and advocates, whose contributions to our ministry have made it possible for millions of people worldwide to have a decent place to call home.”

In its 2013 fiscal year, Habitat for Humanity built, renovated or repaired 124,946 homes, including 12 in West Hawaii. This marks the first time that the global organization has served more than 100,000 families in a single year and equates to a family being served on average every 4 minutes.

Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii thanks every volunteer, donor, and partner who helped create homes for deserving families on the Big Island.

Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. Its mission is to empower families and build community and hope through home ownership opportunities for low-income families.

Serving the entire west side of the BIG Island of Hawaii, we work in partnership with families in need to build and repair decent, affordable housing. The houses then are sold to partner families at no profit and with no interest charged.

Granted affiliation with Habitat for Humanity International in 2002, this affiliate is a volunteer driven organization with seven full-time staff. The home building projects are undertaken by a committed group of local community volunteers who are provided leadership by site managers experienced in construction.

A Board of Directors, comprised of 12 members, provides overall leadership to the affiliate. Funding comes from individual, foundation, agency and corporate donations, as well as from ReStore profits.

Habitat for Humanity International’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that housing provides a critical foundation for breaking the cycle
of poverty, Habitat has helped more than 4 million people construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes since 1976.

Habitat also advocates to improve access to decent and affordable shelter and supports a variety of funding models that enable families with limited resources to make needed improvements on their homes as their time and resources allow.

As a nonprofit Christian housing organization, Habitat works in more than 70 countries and welcomes people of all races, religions and nationalities to partner in its mission.

— Find out more:
www.habitat.org