Our History
Loudon County Habitat celebrates 30 years of helping strengthen our community – but our history goes far beyond that.
1976
Habitat for Humanity Founded
Habitat for Humanity International was started in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller in South Georgia with a goal to eliminate poverty housing. Millard passed away in 2009, but the mission he began continues to grow around the world. Linda has retired but is still considered the First Lady of Affordable Housing.
Anchored by the conviction that housing provides a critical foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty, Habitat has helped more than four million people around the world construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes since 1976.
1984
U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, become volunteers
In September of 1984, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter led a group of Habitat for Humanity volunteers to New York, building alongside 19 families in need of safe, affordable housing. That was the inaugural Carter Work Project, which is now a weeklong event taking place in a different location all over the world each year.
Since then, President and Mrs. Carter have been building and advocating for affordable housing alongside Habitat for Humanity for almost 40 years.
1992
Loudon County Habitat for Humanity Founded
While founded in 1992, it was when a tornado hit Lenoir City in 1993 that the organization actually started constructing homes. That first year, the community came together with God’s help and found the resources to build homes for three families.
1995
Habitat Home Store Opened in Lenoir City
In 1995, the Habitat Home Store opened in Lenoir City accepting donated goods to sell at a reasonable price to raise funds for the construction of homes. The Home Store, renamed the ReStore in 2018 and located at 303 Simpson Road in Lenoir City, raises enough each year to build at least two houses. Although raising funds for home building is its primary goal, the store also provides a source of reasonably priced goods for the community.
2022
Thousand Homes Built Nationwide
Homes Built By Loudon County Habitat
+ Senior-Owned Homes Repaired
Countries with active habitat presence
Million Dollars in Economic Activity Generated in Tennessee
Million Dollars added to property tax base by Loudon County Habitat homeowners
And our work isn’t done yet.
