Habitat for Humanity of Durham

Description

Habitat for Humanity of Durham is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization operated on Christian principles that seeks to put God’s love into action by building homes, communities and hope. Habitat for Humanity of Durham is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all.

History

Habitat for Humanity of Durham grew from Durham’s faith community, commitment to service, and belief in true partnership.

From 1982 to 1984, a group of youth and adults at Watts Street Baptist Church led mission trips to build with Habitat for Humanity in Tennessee and Maryland. As the trips grew in popularity, Worth Lutz, Dick Chorley, Floyd Fletcher, and Joe Lee, Jr. began exploring the feasibility of founding a Habitat affiliate in Durham.

In October 1985, Durham Congregations in Action (DCIA), an organization of 24 churches and faith communities, came together to officially found Habitat for Humanity of Durham. In 1989, Trinity United Methodist Church, a DCIA member, offered free office space to the new organization, and their offices are still located there today.