Habitat for Humanity International was founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller with the goal of eliminating poverty housing worldwide. Habitat has grown tremendously and now builds at a rate of one house every 26 minutes! Habitat for Humanity now has 1,850 affiliates working worldwide, of which Indian River Habitat is one.

In 1989, the St. Germain family, who had known of Habitat for Humanity from their days in New England, wanted to duplicate the Habitat concept here in Vero Beach. They contacted and worked with another visionary, Bill Elliott, to help them develop that dream. As the group was putting together their core of volunteers and donors, they teamed up with Charlie Cox, who had separately been promoting a similar idea along with Ray Scent and Bob Walsh. In May of 1990, they received affirmation from Habitat for Humanity International, and our local affiliate was born.

Our first house was constructed in Gifford with the Pressley family in 1992. Our current construction efforts are Grace Woods in Oslo Park,and Grace Meadows in Fellsmere.

Habitat’s ministry reaches deeper than just building houses with the needy of our community. It is also about building lives and rebuilding communities. It’s about working together, building partnership between races, religious beliefs, and economic backgrounds to share the love of Christ with one another.

Current house production has grown many-fold since 1992 as has our volunteer base and donor support. The Lord has truly blessed our ministry through a generous and supportive community. He continues His blessing on us each day through opportunities for future growth.