Founded In 1976 By Millard And Linda Fuller, Habitat Has Built More Than 500,000 Houses World-Wide, Accommodating More Than 2.5 Million People. Currently, More Than 1,500 Affiliates In The United States And 550 International Affiliates Coordinate Habitat For Humanity House-Building Projects In More Than 3,000 Communities Around The World. 

Habitat for Humanity was first incorporated on the Treasure Coast as the Martin-St. Lucie Habitat for Humanity in the summer of 1986. In 1996, due to increasing demand for services, two separate affiliates were created and Habitat for Humanity of Martin County was formed. The organization slowly transitioned from an all-volunteer staff to an executive director with support staff and is supported by an army of volunteers who donate more than 13,000 hours per year.

In 2007, Habitat for Humanity of Martin County moved to 2555 S.E. Bonita Street in Stuart and in 2008 opened a ReStore in the same building.  

In 2015, a second ReStore was opened in the former Carl's Furniture store on US One in Jensen Beach. 

Since 1986, Habitat has dedicated 136 homes for hardworking, deserving families in Hobe Sound, Indiantown, Jensen Beach, Port Salerno and Stuart. 

 

Habitat for Humanity of Martin County is a not-for-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. Habitat for Humanity of Martin County seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.

 

Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need. Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner families. Habitat houses are sold to families at no profit and financed with affordable loans. The homeowners' monthly mortgage payments are used to build more Habitat houses.

 

Habitat for Humanity of Martin County has an open-door policy; all who believe that everyone needs a decent, affordable place to live are welcome to help with the work, regardless of race, religion, age, gender, political views or any of the other distinctions that too often divide people. In short, Habitat welcomes volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds and also serves people in need of decent housing regardless of race or religion. As a matter of policy, Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliated organizations do not proselytize. This means that Habitat will not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must either adhere to or convert to a particular faith, or listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith.

Providing a Hand-Up, Not a Hand-Out

Habitat is not a giveaway program. In addition to a down payment and the monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest a minimum of 300 hours of their own labor — sweat equity — into building their Habitat house and the houses of others.

 

Habitat's funding comes from financial and in-kind contributions from businesses, churches, foundations, community groups and individuals. Funds also come from homeowner mortgage payments and fundraising events. Grants are funded through the federal, state, county and city government.

 

The Benefits of Homeownership
Studies have shown the many benefits of homeownership. Children of homeowners: