About Us

History

A Northumberland Community Initiative Since 1998

Habitat for Humanity Northumberland is a community-based, non-profit, faith-based organization working for a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. Our mission is to mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting homeownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty.

The organization was founded in 1998, is a member of Habitat for Humanity Canada, and part of a worldwide network that spans 100 countries, has built over 200,000 homes, and is now building a new home every 24 minutes.

Our Roots...

From the humble beginnings with Millard and Linda Fuller who embraced a concept of partnership housing, Habitat for Humanity has grown world-wide. Their vision was a program where those in need of adequate shelter would work side by side with volunteers from all walks of life to build simple, decent houses; where the houses would be built with no profit added and no interest charged; where building would be financed by a revolving Fund for Humanity with funds supplied by the new homeowners' house payments and donations. Money paid by partner families to their mortgage is used to build more houses. This basic structure has been the path of success for Habitat for Humanity and families willing to work to break the cycle of poverty.

And Our Wings...

In 1998, Habitat for Humanity Northumberland acquired a large parcel of land within the Town of Cobourg. From that time, there has been steady building going on. Each year sees more families served in our neighbourhood. Most are centred in Cobourg on one residential street, but thanks to the gift of land in 3 other municipalities there are also partner families in Warkworth, Brighton and Port Hope. The success of the organization is due to the dedication of many volunteers, sponsors, donors and the partner families of Habitat for Humanity Northumberland.

2004 marked the first build in the County when a residential lot in the Warkworth area was donated by Dr. Bob and Cathy Henderson.

2005 Habitat for Humanity Northumberland held the first Women Build in Eastern Ontario, one of only 2 in Canada that year. More than 450 people, mostly women, contributed directly to that build with as many more behind the scenes.

2006 saw first Habitat for Humanity homes built in Brighton and Port Hope, with donations of land from each of those Municipalities. The build in Port Hope was the second (now annual) Women Build for Northumberland County. The Brighton Build was made possible by a donation in memory of a beloved Habitat volunteer.