The idea that became Habitat for Humanity first grew from the fertile soil of Koinonia Farm, a community farm outside of Americus, Georgia, founded by farmer and biblical scholar Clarence Jordan.

On the farm, Jordan and Habitat’s eventual founders Millard and Linda Fuller developed the concept of “partnership housing.” The concept centered on those in need of adequate shelter working side by side with volunteers to build decent, affordable houses. The houses would be built at no profit. New homeowners’ house payments would be combined with no-interest loans provided by supporters and money earned by fundraising to create “The Fund for Humanity,” which would then be used to build more homes.

In 1984, President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn began working with Habitat. Thanks in no small part the awareness they have raised since, Habitat now works in all 50 states in the U.S. and in more than 70 countries and has helped more than 35 million people achieve strength, stability and independence through safe, decent and affordable shelter.

In 1990 Hilton Head Regional Habitat for Humanity and Lowcountry Habitat for Humanity formed as affiliates of this global organization, dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. In 2023, the two affiliates merged to become Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry covering all of Beaufort and Jasper Counties.

Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple and 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. Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry has constructed 180 homes in Beaufort and Jasper counties and is the only organization building new home homes for residents who earn between 30% and 80% of the median income of their county.