our story
Habitat for Humanity
Founded in 1976 in Americus, Georgia by Millard and Linda Fuller
The ongoing involvement of former United States President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalyn has brought wide-spread awareness to our organization. Habitat now works in every province and territory in Canada and in more than 70 countries.
Habitat Grey Bruce
In 1987, a group of citizens concerned about the lack of affordable housing in Grey and Bruce counties, heard about the work of Habitat for Humanity International and decided to start a Habitat Affiliate.
These dedicated volunteers built the first house in Owen Sound in 1988 having raised the needed funds by taking out personal loans.
More than 70 houses have been built in various communities across Grey and Bruce including on the territory of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation at Neyaashiinigmiing (Cape Croker) and Saugeen First Nation outside Southampton.
Habitat Grey Bruce was the FIRST affiliate to:
- Build a house in Ontario (1988)
- Host a Global Village team in Canada (2007)
- Build a house on First Nations Territory in Ontario (2017)
- Build in partnership with a First Nation under contract (2018)
- Launch a Critical Home Repair program with a First Nation (2022)
ReStore
It's a Canadian idea!
Five volunteers opened the first ReStore in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1991. Today, there over 100 Habitat ReStores across Canada and more than 1,000 worldwide, all raising funds to enable families access affordable housing.
The Owen Sound ReStore opened in 1999. A second location was added in Hanover in 2007 and a third in Port Elgin in 2014.
When you shop at one of our ReStores, you help build affordable housing right here in Grey and Bruce!
