Giving assistance. Helping people grow.

History of habitat

our journey — over 35 years in the making

Founded in 1985, Habitat for Humanity—Cape Area Inc. has completed over 60 homes and continues to plan for the construction of future builds. Cape Area Habitat for Humanity's mission is by seeking to put God's love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope.

Our core principle is to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ and our Vision is a world in which everyone has a decent place to live. Our guiding principles are to demonstrate the love of Jesus, with a focus on shelter, advocating for affordable housing, promoting dignity and hope and supporting community development.

We are grateful for the volunteers and donors who are all so vital to helping us fulfill our mission, core principle and vision. The addition of our ReStore and the support that it gives to our local Habitat for Humanity also helps to support the mission financially.

Cape Area Habitat for Humanity uses a person-centered approach in offering other housing program services to assist individuals and families in obtaining safe housing through a hand-up and not a hand-out. Our community partners are essential to our determination to service and reach individuals and families in our communities. Today, Habitat for Humanity-Cape Area conducts builds in Southeast Missouri and provides housing services in eight counties.

our mission — nearly 50 years in the making

Habitat for Humanity’s mission was born on Koinonia Farm, outside Americus, Georgia, where Clarence Jordan, along with Millard and Linda Fuller, developed the concept of “partnership housing,” in which vulnerable families in need of safe, secure and affordable housing would work alongside volunteers to build houses financed by affordable mortgages made possible by the donations of supporters like you.

In 1976, they took their mission, then called the “Fund for Humanity” to what is now The Democratic Republic of Congo, and within three years had established a successfully functioning and self-sustained housing program there. Upon returning to the United States in 1976, their vision of Habitat for Humanity International was taking its first steps into an impactful future.

Today, Habitat for Humanity conducts builds in all 50 states and in more than 70 countries, providing a home—the platform for strength, stability and self-reliance—to over 39 million people.

Service equals shelter for a family in need. Find a way to give that fits you.