Habitat for Humanity of Lee County, FL

History of Habitat for Humanity of Lee County

Habitat for Humanity of Lee County, Inc. began with the Lee County Mission Board. Supported by
area churches, this non-profit group ministered to needy families in Lee County. The Board’s efforts were particularly focused in Harlem Heights, a run-down, neglected former migrant worker housing area. In the late 1950s, the Mission was instrumental in securing a federal housing grant, which resulted in the construction of some 40 homes in Harlem Heights. In 1979, when funding ended and no other federal grants were approved, Mission Board members Ed Campbell and his wife, Dorothy, told the Board about Habitat for Humanity. They had become familiar with the organization from visiting a building site in nearby Collier County.

Habitat for Humanity International was founded in 1976 in Americus, Georgia. 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. To date, Habitat has built more than 175,000
homes in more than 100 countries.

Habitat for Humanity of Lee County was granted a charter in October 1982. We are an ecumenical, non-profit, Christian housing ministry that is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing in Lee County. Habitat welcomes people from all backgrounds to come together to help us build decent, affordable housing for hardworking, deserving Lee County families. Habitat for Humanity of Lee County was one of the first affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International.