History of Habitat for Humanity

The Habitat for Humanity Mid-Vancouver Island Society, through its affiliation with Habitat for Humanity Canada, is part of an international organization which has built over 200,000 houses providing shelter for more than 1,000,000 people in 100 countries.

Habitat for Humanity International is a non-profit housing organization built upon an ecumenical Christian foundation that invites people from all walks of life to work together to build homes with people in need of decent, affordable housing. The Habitat for Humanity movement was founded in 1976 in Americus, Georgia by Millard and Linda Fuller. The programme developed from the concept of "partnership housing" where those in need of adequate shelter work side by side with volunteers from all walks of life to build simple, decent houses.

Habitat for Humanity Canada was established in 1985 with the formation of its first affiliate in Winkler, Manitoba. In early 1988 an HFHC national office was established, which is currently located in Waterloo, Ontario. The Habitat for Humanity movement in Canada has grown rapidly since then and now has 70 affiliates in 10 provinces and two territories. As of December 2005, some 30,000 Canadian Habitat volunteers had built homes for over 1,000 families.

Habitat for Humanity Nanaimo

Habitat for Humanity Nanaimo was established thanks to the dedication and hard work of Ron Caldwell.

According to past chair Ralph Meyerhoff, "Ron had the vision - it was his dream to build houses." The Nanaimo affiliate began in 1994 when Mr. Caldwell brought together a small group known as the Advisory Committee. Society status was granted by the province in December 1994, and the first official board of directors took office in 1995. We have provided homes for 5 families since 2000 and will build homes for two more families by mid-2007.

Habitat for Humanity Nanaimo Society changed its name at at the Annual General Meeting held May 17, 2007 to Habitat for Humanity Mid-Vancouver Island Society.  This was done due to the expansion to its service area.  Our service area now covers the following: Duncan, Ladysmith, Lake Cowichan, Chemainus, Cowichan Bay, Crofton, Nanamio, Port Alberni, Ucluelet and Tofino.