Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. Habitat for Humanity International seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Since its founding in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller, Habitat for Humanity International has built and rehabilitated more than 100,000 houses with families in need, becoming the world leader in addressing the issues of poverty housing. The concept that grew into Habitat for Humanity International was born at Koinonia Farm, a small, interracial, Christian farming community founded in 1942 outside of Americus, Georgia, by farmer and biblical scholar Clarence Jordan. The Fullers first visited Koinonia in 1965, having recently left a successful business in Montgomery, Alabama. Millard Fuller's primary objective throughout college and his early life was to accumulate as much wealth as possible. During these years, that objective was accomplished, only to be abandoned for a new life of Christian service. In September 1976, Millard and Linda called together a group of supporters to discuss the future of their dream. Habitat for Humanity International
The organizational structure of Habitat needs to be modified to support the growing number of affiliates and volunteers. At the national headquarters, there should be an area director that oversees all regional directors. The regional directors can then supervise affiliate presidents and treasurers and coordinate efforts between affiliates. Regional directors would serve as a liaison to the headquarters and ensure that houses are being built for the people who need them most. Regional directors can also serve as a guide and negotiator for materials and supplies for their region. This could result in greater discounts and possibly more integration of different cities. Habitat for Humanity International, while overall very impressive, also has some weaknesses. For example, one weakness that Habitat for Humanity International encounters is the non-involvement of some of the affiliates that work with them. As noted in the next section, a small percentage of affiliates produce the bulk of housing for Habitat. Another weakness is the lack of organizational structure on an international scale. The headquarters is still stationed in Americus, Georgia and the organization still considers itself a "grass-roots" movement. The headquarters staff is criticized from lacking in professionalism. These factors have lead to an effective use of volunteers and affiliates globally. The organization also has an identity crisis of sorts. They have a major influence globally needs to have a long-term strategic plan and goals to continue that influence. was born at this meeting and Habitat's first headquarters in Americus, Georgia. The first U.S. Habitat house built outside of Georgia was completed in 1979 in San Antonio, Texas. In 1984, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn become Habitat partners and have since sponsored annual Jimmy Carter Work Projects. The Habitat for Humanity International headquarters moved to 121 Habitat Street in Americus in 1987; a building largely constructed by volunteers and designed for office use with the capability of being converted to volunteer housing later. In the late 80s and early 90s, the methods and quality of Habitat's housing has been called into question. The houses built by Habitat were the subject of media attention in 1989 and 1992. After Hurricane Hugo struck South Carolina, all Habitat houses in the state survive, and after Hurricane Andrew struck south Florida all 27 Habitat houses in the Miami, Florida area survive. The national headquarters should allocate donations based on number of homes constructed per year. This is, in effect, a reward system that provides affiliates additional funding for the performance of construction. Often, donors contribute t
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Approximate Word count = 1853
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)
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