Habitat for Humanity of Durham

Durham Habitat builds strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter for low-income families in need of safe and affordable housing. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. As we partner with families to break the cycle of poverty, we see positive and lasting changes in the neighborhoods that they live in. Studies show that children of homeowners are 25% more likely to graduate from high school, 116% more likely to graduate from college and 59% more likely to own a home within 10 years of moving out. With our help, Habitat homeowners achieve the strength, stability and independence they need to build a better life for themselves and their families.

We were founded in 1985 after a group from Watts Street Baptist Church led mission trips to build with Habitat in Tennessee and Maryland. That led to founding a local affiliate to help eradicate poverty housing in Durham.

“Habitat is more than just a home; it provides stepping stones – a pathway for us to advance further in other parts of our lives.” That is a quote from Robin Davis, a current Durham homeowner. Robin is a mother of 7, a grandmother of 13 and a great-grandmother of 1. She is currently raising her three youngest children that she adopted when they were young: Michael, Kiana and KaNya. The home that Robin could afford for her three new children was better than where they had been before they were adopted. Robin provided love and food and education and playing, but still this home on Spruce Street was a rental with 27 code violations on record. The family lived there for 8 years with leaking pipes, rotting floors, mold and a landlord who seemed not to care. And then one day,  just next door, Habitat of Durham started building two new homes. And that lit a fire for Robin. She met the families who were buying them and realized that they were just like her. She could own her own home as well. Robin applied and now lives in a new Habitat home just eight houses down from that rental on Spruce Street. Robin is just one of the many reasons WHY HABITAT.

Raising $1,000 builds a child's bedroom, $2,000 buys kitchen and bathroom cabinets, $5,000 buys a framing package for one home

Connect with Habitat for Humanity of Durham: www.durhamhabitat.org / www.facebook.com/durhamhabitat / Instagram/Twitter: @durhamhabitat / Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/durhamhabitat1985 / Blog: http://www.durhamhabitat.org/blog