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Habitat for Humanity International was founded by Millard & Linda Fuller in 1976. Their leadership has helped forge Habitat into a worldwide Christian housing ministry.

While in college Millard and a friend started a marketing firm. The business prospered and soon the Fullers were millionaires. But with success and wealth their marriage suffered. This crisis prompted the Fullers to re-evaluate their lives. Their soul-searching led to reconciliation with each other and to a renewal of their Christian commitment.

The Fullers then took a dramatic step: They decided to sell all of their possessions - giving the money to the poor - and to begin searching for a new focus. This search led them to Koinonia Farm, a Christian community located near Americus, Ga., where people were looking for practical ways to apply Christ's teachings.

While at Koinonia the Fullers assisted in initiating several partnership enterprises, including a housing ministry. Working from a passage in the Bible that says someone lending money to the poor should not act as a creditor and should not charge interest (Exodus 22:25), they chose to build houses on a no-profit, no-interest basis, thus making homes affordable to families with low incomes.

In 1973, the Fullers moved to Africa with their four children to test their housing model overseas. The housing project was a success and became a working reality in Zaire. The Fullers were convinced that this model could be expanded and applied all over the world.

In 1976 they returned to United States and met with community leaders from all over the country and decided to create a new, independent organization: Habitat for Humanity International.

Our History

Wiregrass Habitat for Humanity began in 1990 as the dream of two local women. Verna Saliba and the late Sharon Paxton, neighbors who found they shared a passion for their community and an interest in the Habitat for Humanity movement that was sweeping the nation. After visiting Habitat's headquarters in Americus and a building site in Atlanta, the two friends gathered members of the Wiregrass community and formed the first board of directors for the Wiregrass affiliate of Habitat for Humanity.

Since 1990 Wiregrass Habitat for Humanity has built 100 homes and housed more than 350 individuals. But the need is great and our mission is clear. There is still much to be done. Twenty-seven (27) homes were built in our first 10 years - Twenty-six (26) homes were completed in 2006. Plans are underway to have 110 homes complete by December 2009.

Wiregrass Habitat's first homeowners

Historical Perspective as of 1990
2007	Built homes 96-100
2006	Built homes # 73-95 Built 14 homes in Diamond Grove Subdivision as well as 6 others around the city of Dothan for relocated hurricane evacuees. Fourth family pays off their mortgage.
2005	Built homes #68-72 New Executive Director comes aboard Millard Fuller visits affiliate at Annual Dinner Completed Disaster Relief Project in Abbeville with a total of 7 homes
2004	Built homes #58-#67 Built first home in Geneva Started first Campus Chapter at Dothan High School
2003	Built homes #47-#57 Started our first Disaster Relief Project in Abbeville-Project C.A.I.R. Third family pays off their mortgage Prison Partnerships began Corporate Volunteer Program began
2002	Built homes #37-#46 Moved into our new facility at 1227 Headland Ave. Opened the Renovation Station Awarded National Family Support "Best Practices" by Habitat International Second family pays off their mortgage
2001	Built homes #28-#36 First Women Build home completed Hired Resource Development Coordinator and Bookkeeper
2000	Built homes #23, #24, #25, #26 and #27 Hired first Volunteer Coordinator
1999	Built homes #20, #21, and #22 Established United Faith Community (Church Relations Committee) Hired first Construction Supervisor
1998	Built homes #17, #18 and #19 Established family partnership program with monthly family workshops Held first annual Family/Volunteer Recognition Dinner Completed first Youth Build home
1997	Built homes #15 and #16 Fire destroys office and records in February Moved into new office at 111 N. St. Andrews St. in September First Wiregrass Habitat home mortgage is paid off
1996	Built homes #12, #13, and #14 Began Traveling Store Held first new family orientation Formed Wiregrass Habitat for Humanity Youth Build
1995	Built home #11 Hired first Executive Director and expanded office space
1994	Built home #10
1993	Built homes #7, #8, and #9 Established first office at 1863 Montgomery Highway Hired first Americorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America)
1992	Built homes #4, #5, and #6
1991	Built homes #1, #2, and #3
1990	Affiliate was formed by Sharon Paxton and Verna Saliba Received Affiliate status in September