Habitat for Humanity has helped more than 1 million families—representing 5 million people—improve their living conditions through Habitat's housing since the organization was founded in 1976.

"We are delighted to achieve this incredible milestone and have seen the positive influence a stable home can have on families," said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. "Because of a house, families have better access to health, financial security, education and employment opportunities. We want to continue building impact so that millions more people can have decent, safe places to live."  

During its 2014 fiscal year, Habitat for Humanity served more than 300,000 families— about 1.6 million people in more than 70 countries — through home construction, renovations and critical home repairs or increased access to improved shelter through products and services. The table below provides a snapshot of Habitat's global impact.

In addition to the families served through direct housing solutions, 1.6 million more people have the potential to improve their housing conditions through a variety of services including advocacy efforts that changed policies and systems to allow more access to shelter solutions, as well as training in construction and financial management. 

Habitat's global mission was made possible in fiscal year 2014 thanks to the hands and hearts of more than 2 million volunteers and the financial support of our many generous donors. In addition to helping on Habitat build sites, volunteers also served as local board members, in Habitat ReStores and through affordable housing advocacy efforts.

"We believe housing is critical to providing a path out of poverty, and with 1.6 billion people still in need of adequate housing we can and will do more," said Reckford. "We are committed to helping exponentially more families and transforming communities around the world. And we are grateful to our donors and volunteers who support our mission to build homes, communities and hope."

Nearly four decades into its mission, Habitat has expanded and adapted its efforts to meet the needs of shelter situations in the countries it serves, including new home construction, rehabilitation, repairs, neighborhood revitalization, market development and advocating for policy changes at local, state and national levels worldwide.

To learn more information about Habitat for Humanity International's work, view its fiscal year 2014 annual report, "Because of This House…" which is now available: www.habitat.org/support/annual-report/2014.