About Us
What does it take to build a Habitat Home?
Our Mission
Our Vision
Habitat’s Beginning
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian ministry founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller. The Fullers had a vision of building simple, decent houses for low-income families in their community using volunteer labor and donations and requiring repayment only of the cost of the land and materials without charging interest.
Several years later in 1984 Millard recruited one of Habitat’s most famous volunteers, Former President Jimmy Carter. Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter were very involved with Habitat, giving their time, talent, and treasure. They developed the Jimmy Carter Work Project, which was an annual week-long effort of building Habitat houses all over the world.
To date, Habitat for Humanity International operates in nearly 1,400 communities across the U.S. and over 70 countries around the world. Each local Habitat organization is called an “affiliate,” which acts in partnership with and on behalf of Habitat International.
There are five affiliates located in the greater Charleston area: Habitat for Humanity of Berkeley County, East Cooper Habitat, Charleston Habitat, Sea Island Habitat, and Dorchester Habitat.
Dorchester Habitat was founded in 1993, and since then has completed 74 homes in Dorchester County. It takes roughly 2,000 volunteer hours and nearly $100,000 to complete each home. We are fortunate to keep our construction costs at a minimum by utilizing mostly volunteer labor. The only services that cannot be performed by volunteers are electrical, HVAC, and plumbing.
Our homes are sold to those in need of a decent and affordable place to live. Habitat homeowners have gone through a strenuous pre-qualification process and pay a 30-year, interest-free mortgage back to Dorchester Habitat. Mortgage payments include escrows for homeowners insurance and property taxes. Mortgage payments average $650 per month and future homeowners pay $2,500 in closing costs.
How You Can Help
It takes roughly 2,000 volunteer hours to build a house and countless hours of behind-the-scenes work. You are needed as a volunteer on the construction site, at the ReStore, in Dorchester Habitat’s office, at special events, or as a board or committee member. If your busy schedule prevents you from giving of your time or talents, your treasure is welcome! Become a sponsor or donor; all contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law, including donations made to the ReStore.
Donate
We partner with qualifying families to build homes using donated material and labor. Homes are sold at no-profit and financed with no-interest mortgages.
Volunteer
Volunteer for a great team-building experience or become a sponsor. Find out what the best volunteer option is for you or your team.
Shop
All proceeds from the ReStore go back into the construction program to purchase materials and land for future homeowners to live.