Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia is an independently chartered affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), the largest nonprofit homebuilder worldwide.

Locally, Habitat Philadelphia is on a mission to transform lives and our city by building and repairing quality homes in partnership with families in need, and uniting all Philadelphians around the cause of affordable housing. Our Vision is a city where all Philadelphians live in safe, affordable homes.

Since 1985, Habitat Philadelphia has empowered 164 families to achieve their dreams of homeownership and break the cycle of poverty through our Homeownership Program and our Weatherization and Home Repair Program. Habitat Philadelphia focuses its efforts on building and repairing multiple homes in a community rather than scattered houses in different areas. In this way, we can transform entire neighborhoods, one block at a time. 

Our homes are sold with zero-interest mortgages to local low-income families who contribute 350 hours of “sweat equity” toward Habitat projects. Mortgage principal payments are recycled back to build or renovate additional homes through our Fund for Humanity. Our Weatherization and Home Repair program follows the same partnership housing model.  

Habitat’s Roots

Habitat for Humanity International was founded in 1976 by Linda and Millard Fuller. Habitat was founded on Christian principles of fellowship, charity, and a firm belief that all people deserve a simple, decent place to live.

Habitat Philadelphia was formed in March 2003 through the integration of four city affiliates in Germantown, North, West, and South Philadelphia. As a city-wide affiliate, we make better use of our resources and are able to help more families in need of adequate shelter.

As a result, over 550 Philadelphians who would otherwise be homeless or living in poverty housing are now proud, self-sufficient homeowners. We do not build outside of the city of Philadelphia, but there are six other Habitat affiliates in Pennsylvania and New Jersey that serve local areas outside of the City. To find your local Habitat for Humanity affiliate, click here.

Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia welcomes and works with people of all religious affiliations and those with none. Exercising the theology of the hammer, Habitat's unique partnership includes people of diverse faiths and backgrounds at all levels.

Habitat Philadelphia Gives Back

Habitat Philadelphia gives a portion of all our donations to Habitat International’s Tithing Program, which encourages Habitat partners to donate a tenth of what they raise in support of building homes in developing countries. Through this global tithe program, Habitat Philadelphia has helped build over 125 homes in Nicaragua and other parts of Central America, in addition to the homes we have built locally.

Current Projects

We are currently focusing our home building and repairing efforts in North Central Philadelphia, where we have a long standing history and have built over 80 homes to-date. Read more about our North Philadelphia Complete Blocks Project on our blog.