History Overview (Text-only) 1965-1976 1977-1983 1984-1989 1990-1992 1993-1995 1996-1997 1998-2000 Home Get Involved Where We Build How It Works True Stories

Millard Fuller addresses a crowd at Ntondo, Dem. Rep. of Congo (formerly Zaire). Each house dedication is a joyous celebration of achievement, and helps spread the word about this remarkable self-help, house-building venture. The first U.S. Habitat house built outside of Georgia was completed in 1979 in San Antonio, Texas (top). One of San Antonio HFH's first partner families (bottom). Habitat supporters hit the road to celebrate HFHI's Seventh Anniversary. The 700-mile Walk to Indianapolis raised awareness of the problem of poverty housing and Habitat's work to combat it. The Walk culminated in a spectacular celebration HFHI's first headquarters was in Millard Fuller's law office on Church Street. Its first move to larger quarters was next door, to a house Habitat renovated. After a few years, a second story was added providing classroom space and more offices. 1977 -- Clive Rainey joins HFHI as its first volunteer. 1977 -- Bokotola, the story of the Fullers' work in Zaire (now Dem. Rep. of Congo), is published. 1978 -- Citizens in San Antonio, Texas, form the first U.S. Habitat affiliate outside of Georgia. 1979 -- HFHI headquarters moves from Millard Fuller's law office to a renovated house next door. 1979 -- The First Habitat house in Americus is built. 1979 -- The First Habitat affiliate in Latin America -- Guatemala -- is approved. 1980 -- Love in the Mortar Joints, the first book outlining the development of Habitat for Humanity, is published. 1981 -- HFHI celebrates its fifth anniversary. There are a total of 14 U.S. affiliates and 7 international affiliates. 342 Habitat houses have been completed. 1983 -- Habitat World is introduced, replacing Habitat Happenings as HFHI's news publication. 1983 -- HFHI declares the third Sunday in September as the first International Day of Prayer and Action for Human Habitat. 1983 -- HFHI begins development of National Partners to coordinate Habitat work in their own countries.