- 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.
History of Wiregrass Habitat
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 130+ homes and housed more than 400 individuals. But the need is great and our mission is clear. There is still much to be done. A Selection Committee and our Board of Directors approve 4-6 people to partner with for a Habitat home every 3-4 years. Currently, we work hard to have a Spring Build and a Fall Build. At this time, over 65 people have paid off their mortgages in full. We have approximately 60-70 families with WHFH mortgages at this time.
Historical Update
We are currently working on House #131
2020
- Built homes #131
2019
- Built homes #129 & #130
2018
- Built homes #128
- Moved into new location at 2086 Montgomery Highway
2017
- Built homes #126-127
2016
- Built homes #125
2015
- Built homes #124
2014
- Built homes #121-123
2013
- Built homes #119-120
- Moved into new location at 2043 Montgomery Highway
2012
- Built homes #117-118
- Hired ReStore Director
2011
- Built homes #115-116
2010
- Built homes #111-114
- Began Critical Home Repair and Weatherization Program
2009
- Built homes #107-111
2008
- Built homes #101-106
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.
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.
- 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
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
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
