Koinonia Farm
The concept that grew into Habitat for Humanity International was born 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, Jordan and 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 simple, decent houses.

The Fund for Humanity
The houses would be built at no profit and interest would not be charged on the loans. Building costs would be financed by a revolving fund called “The Fund for Humanity.” The fund's money would come from the new homeowners' house payments, no-interest loans provided by supporters and money earned by fund-raising activities. The monies in the Fund for Humanity would be used to build more houses.

Inception of Habitat for Humanity
In 1968, Koinonia laid out 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 no interest. The basic model of Habitat for Humanity was begun. The Fullers took their housing model to Zaire and later formed Habitat for Humanity's headquarters in Americus, Georgia. Nearly 10 years later, President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn contributed to the Fuller's efforts.

Habitat for Humanity of Lee County
In 1979, the federal government stopped all funding to Lee County's Mission Board; a group supported by area churches to support needy families. The Board’s efforts were particularly focused in Harlem Heights, a run-down, neglected former migrant worker housing area. Mission Board members Ed Campbell and his wife, Dorothy, told the Board about Habitat for Humanity. In 1979, the community broke ground on its first Habitat home. The Board received a charter to officially become a Habitat for Humanity affiliate in 1982.

Habitat for Humanity of Lee County's Timeline

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