A Foundation of Strength, Stability, and Self-Reliance
Can a simple house change the trajectory of a family’s future forever? Since our local affiliate opened its doors in 1986, we have seen firsthand that the answer is a resounding "yes." This year, we aren't just celebrating our 40th anniversary; we are joining a global celebration of Habitat for Humanity International’s 50th anniversary.
The Roots of Habitat: From 1942 to Today
While Habitat for Humanity International was officially founded in 1976, the "partnership housing" model actually began much earlier. It started in 1942 at Koinonia Farm, an interracial community in Georgia.
It was there that the concept of the "Fund for Humanity" was born—the idea that new homeowners would work alongside volunteers to build homes at no profit, paying back no-interest loans to help build the next family's house. This radical vision of "a hand up, not a hand out" is what eventually led Millard and Linda Fuller to launch the international organization we know today.
Celebrating 40 Years of Local Impact
Since opening our doors in 1986, Habitat for Humanity Greater Salt Lake Area has achieved remarkable milestones in Salt Lake, Davis, and Tooele Counties:
- 117 Homes Built: We have provided 117 families with the opportunity for affordable homeownership, creating stability where it’s needed most.
- 441 Individuals Housed: Our programs have provided safe, permanent shelter for over 440 people, including hundreds of children.
- 1,000+ Lives Improved via CHiRP: Since its inception in 2012, our Critical Home Repair Program (CHiRP) has completed vital safety and health repairs for over 1,000 residents.
- 600 Tons Diverted Annually: Our Salt Lake ReStore (opened in 2009) diverts over 600 tons of reusable materials from local landfills every year, with all proceeds directly funding our home-building mission.
- Community Mobilization: In the last fiscal year alone, over 975 volunteers contributed more than 15,000 hours of service to our local projects.
The Power of the Global Network
Joining the Habitat for Humanity International network 50 years after its inception means being part of a massive movement for change. The scale of this mission is staggering:
- 65 Million People Served: Since 1976, Habitat has helped more than 65 million people globally build or improve their homes.
- A Massive Volunteer Force: In the last year alone, over 827,000 volunteers worldwide picked up a hammer or advocated for better housing.
- Economic Impact: In fiscal year 2025, Habitat successfully advocated for policies that unlocked over $6.65 billion in government funds for home affordability.
Key Stat: In 2025 alone, Habitat for Humanity helped 3 million people build or improve a place to call home, while another 20.8 million gained better housing potential through advocacy and training.
Our Role in the Next 40 Years
As we look toward the future, the need for affordable housing has never been greater. Median home prices have reached record highs, and millions of families are "cost-burdened," spending more than 30% of their income on housing.
We are committed to spending the next 40 years expanding our reach, but we can't do it without you. Whether through donations, volunteering at a build site, or shopping at our ReStore, you are the reason we can celebrate these milestones.
From the humble beginnings of Koinonia Farm in 1942 to our affiliate’s start in 1986, the mission has remained the same: Building strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. We are incredibly proud of the 40 years of service we’ve provided to our neighbors and the 50 years of global impact we share with Habitat International. Thank you for being part of this legacy.
Join Our Anniversary Celebration!
We want you to be part of our next chapter. Help us celebrate 40 years of local impact by becoming a sustaining donor. Even $5, $10, or $20 a month helps a family receive critical home repairs and access to affordable housing.
