Habitat History

Building strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter for over 40 years.

History of Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity

Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity is a support organization for the eight Habitat for Humanity affiliates in the Chicagoland area with a goal to significantly increasing the number of families served in the region. There is a staggering need for housing support in the Chicago metro area and an opportunity for Habitat to do even more than we do today. Chicagoland Habitat was created to leverage capacity building, growth, marketing and advocacy by working in collaboration with the eight affiliates across Chicagoland.

Chicagoland Habitat is currently developing a comprehensive strategic plan for 2022-2025 in partnership with affiliates to most effectively and dramatically increase the number of families served in the Chicago metro area.

Eight Affiliates

The eight affiliates across Chicagoland are part of the 1,100 affiliate members of Habitat for Humanity International that provide decent, affordable housing for those in need worldwide. With the help of individual volunteers, corporate volunteers, charitable foundations and faith based organizations, we strive to transform communities as they partner with families to achieve responsible home ownership.

The eight area affiliates serve families in six Chicagoland counties. To date, over 1,300 houses have been built to provide homes for over 5,000 people in the region. In collaboration with Chicagoland Habitat, our goal is to dramatically increase the families served in the Chicagoland area.

The History of Habitat for Humanity International

Summary

Habitat for Humanity International was founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller. Today, Habitat International is a true world leader in addressing the issues of poverty housing. 

Koinonia Farm

The Habitat for Humanity model originated at Koinonia Farm, a small, interracial, Christian community outside of Americus, Georgia. Koinonia Farm was founded in 1942 by farmer and biblical scholar Clarence Jordan.

The Fullers first visited Koinonia in 1965. They had recently left a successful business and an affluent lifestyle in Montgomery, Alabama to begin a new life of Christian service.

At Koinonia, Mr. Jordan and the Fullers developed the concept of “partnership housing.” The concept centered on those in need of adequate shelter working side by side with volunteers to build simple, decent houses.

Inception

In 1968, the city of Koinonia provided 42 half-acre house sites with four acres reserved as a community park and recreational area. Capital was donated from around the country to start the work. Homes were built and sold to families in need at no profit and a no-interest mortgage. The Habitat for Humanity model was born.

Formal Beginning

In September of 1976, Millard and Linda Fuller brought together the first group of supporters to discuss the Habitat for Humanity model. Habitat International as an organization was born at this meeting. The eight years that followed, vividly described in Millard Fuller’s book, “Love in the Mortar Joints,” proved that the vision of a housing ministry was workable.

Phenomenal growth

In 1984, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn took their first Habitat International work trip, the Jimmy Carter Work Project, to New York City. Their personal involvement in Habitat International’s ministry brought the organization national visibility and sparked interest in Habitat International’s work across the nation. As as result, Habitat International experienced a dramatic increase in the number of new affiliates around the country.

The Habitat for Humanity Model

The Habitat for Humanity model does not provide for a housing giveaway program. It is a hand up, not a hand out. Homeowners are required to invest hundreds of hours of sweat equity into building their own home and the homes of their neighbors. Habitat partner families must also complete financial literacy programs and home management workshops in order to prepare them for successful homeownership. Habitat homes are sold to qualified partner families at no profit and financed with no-interest or low-interest loans; mortgage payments are used to build still more Habitat homes.

Today

Through the work of Habitat worldwide, thousands of low-income families have found new hope in the form of affordable housing. Churches, community groups, business, individuals and others have joined together to successfully tackle a significant social problem―decent housing for all.

Since our founding 1976, Habitat International has served 35 million people through affordable housing solutions.

Individual Tickets

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First Look for Charity 2023 Tickets

Official Hotel

WHY NOT MAKE A SPECIAL EVENT EVEN MORE MOMENTOUS? THE CHICAGO AUTO SHOW HAS PARTNERED WITH THE HYATT REGENCY MCCORMICK PLACE TO OFFER AN EXCEPTIONAL RATE FOR GUESTS ATTENDING FIRST LOOK FOR CHARITY.

Hyatt Regency McCormick Place

The Chicago Auto Show is proud to announce its continued partnership with the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place as the official hotel for the 2023 Chicago Auto Show.

Just a 5-minute indoor walk from the McCormick Place show floor, experience modern guestrooms and sweeping views of the Chicago Skyline. Overnight guests of the hotel will receive a 15% discount at our multiple on-site food and beverage outlets.

The negotiated rate for First Look for Charity, scheduled for Friday, February 10 is $143*. Internet and health club/pool access is included with the price of the room.

Vehicle Giveaway

One highlight of the First Look for Charity is the vehicle giveaway. Over the years, lucky winners have driven off with the keys to 50 vehicles, including a Chevrolet Corvette and Dodge Viper. Any attendee who has purchased a ticket is eligible to win. However, the winner must be present at the time of the drawing.

This year, the giveaway vehicles are a 2023 Honda CR-V Touring Hybrid or a 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Sport. Winner must be present at the time of the drawing.

[1] A random drawing of ticket stubs for all attendees at the First Look for Charity Event with be made upon open stage during the course of the event. Vehicle(s) will be awarded at that time. If the owner of the winning ticket stub drawn fails to claim prize within a reasonable time, as determined solely by the Chicago Auto Trade Association, his right to the vehicle will be forfeited and an additional ticket stub will be drawn. The odds of winning depend upon the number of ticket stubs collected. Substitutions for the vehicle are not permitted; there are no cash award alternatives. Void where prohibited by law. Winner agrees to permit the Chicago Automobile Trade Association and/or the First Look for Charity Foundation to use his/her picture for future publicity and promotion without compensation. Winner further agrees to provide name, address and Social Security number to the Chicago Automobile Trade Association and/or the First Look for Charity Foundation, and to be responsible for any and all taxes, including Federal and State income taxes, state and local sales taxes or excise taxes, as applicable. Winner further acknowledges that he/she will be provided a Federal Form 1099 at year end indicating the full value of the prize awarded.