In 1988, a small group of concerned community leaders gathered to form the Richland County Habitat for Humanity. An affiliation with Habitat for Humanity International of Americus, Georgia, founded in 1976 by Linda and Millard Fuller, was immediately enacted. Supported by an initial grant from The Richland County Foundation, a Board of Trustees was established, and recruitment of volunteers, both skilled and unskilled, was begun in earnest.

As of late 1989, two home rehabilitations had been undertaken, and groundbreaking for the first complete home construction took place. By the year 1996, thirteen homes and rehabs had been completed. In 2001, we completed the first Richland County “Women’s Build,” (a home built entirely by women). As of September, 2006, Richland County Habitat for Humanity has completed 39 homes (we no longer rehab houses). Many of these homes have been built in partnership with individual churches, local banks and corporations.

How Does Habitat Work?

Through hundreds of hours of volunteer labor, management expertise and tax-deductible donations of materials and money, Habitat builds homes with the help of the future homeowners. These partner families invest their “sweat equity” hours in our construction projects. The houses are then sold to the partner family through a no interest mortgage held by Habitat. The homeowner begins to build immediate equity in their home and Habitat receives an income stream that, in turn, builds more new houses.

Fundraising to purchase the materials is a constant effort. We have been blessed with gifts and grants from many foundations such as: the Richland County Foundation, Mike & Helen Volk Family Foundation, Russell & Mary Gimbel Foundation, The Milliron Family Foundation and others. Habitat is always seeking funds to help continue our mission. Also, Richland County Habitat for Humanity holds small fundraisers throughout the year, including our Spring Banquet.