Our Mission
Seeking to put love into action, Habitat for Humanity Greater Salt Lake Area brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope.
Our Vision
A world where everyone has a decent place to live.
Our Guiding Principles
- Demonstrate love for humankind.
- Focus on shelter.
- Advocate for affordable housing.
- Promote dignity and hope.
- Support sustainable and transformative development.
Our Work
Habitat for Humanity Greater Salt Lake Area carries out our mission and vision through four pillars of service: building affordable homes, making critical home repairs, offering low-cost building materials and household items in our ReStore, and supporting Habitat for Humanity's global housing projects. We invite people of all backgrounds, races, religions, and abilities to build in partnership with families in need.
Our History
Serving the greater Salt Lake area since 1986
Over the last 36 years, Habitat for Humanity Greater Salt Lake Area has provided affordable homeownership to 115 families, housing 368 people, including 251 children. Our zero-interest mortgages make the cost of homeownership far less than rent. The stability of homeownership allows families to build community and fosters long-term success. Habitat families "pay it forward” because their mortgage payments are invested in building homes for future Habitat families.
In 2009, we opened the Salt Lake ReStore, Salt Lake’s only building materials thrift shop. Contractors, retailers, and individuals donate various surplus items, including lumber, tile, lighting, furniture, artwork, appliances, electronics, household items, and even toys. For example, we sell toilets for only $20! Proceeds from the ReStore sustain our operations and support the construction of Habitat homes. Annually, the ReStore keeps over 600 tons of reusable material out of local landfills.
In 2012, we established the Critical Home Repair Program (CHiRP) to eliminate substandard housing along the Wasatch Front. Since then, CHiRP has improved the health and life safety of more than 1,000people.
Habitat for Humanity Greater Salt Lake Area is a trusted community solution for decent, safe, affordable housing in Salt Lake County.
Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity Greater Salt Lake Area is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. In 1965 Millard and Linda Fuller visited Koinonia, a farming community founded in 1942 by Clarence Jordan. There, Jordan and the Fullers developed the idea for affordable housing that would later become Habitat for Humanity.
Jordan and the Fullers developed the idea of partnership housing where those needing shelter would work with volunteers to build simple, decent homes. The houses would be built with no profit added or interest charged. In addition, the funds for construction would come from a revolving fund called the Fund for Humanity. The fund would come from donations, new homeowner’s house payments, no-interest loans from supporters, and fund-raising events. This way, Habitat could continue to build houses for those in need.
In September 1976, the Fullers met with supporters to discuss the future of their dream. Habitat for Humanity was officially born at this meeting, and the following eight years proved that the vision of a perpetual housing fund would work. Faith, hard work, and direction set Habitat on its successful course.
Through Habitat's work, thousands of low-income families have found new hope in affordable housing. Churches, community groups, and people from all walks of life have joined together to tackle a significant social problem—decent living for all.
Since its founding in 1976, HFHI has built more than 500,000 houses, providing shelter for more than 2.5 million people in over 90 countries worldwide. Learn more about Habitat for Humanity International.
Non-proselytizing Policy
Habitat for Humanity Greater Salt Lake Area will not proselytize or work with entities or individuals who insist on proselytizing as part of their involvement with Habitat. We will not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must adhere to or convert to a particular faith or listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith.
