About Us
Habitat for Humanity Okaloosa County is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization operated on Christian principles that seeks to put God’s love into action by building homes, communities and hope. Habitat for Humanity Okaloosa County is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all.
All are Welcome
Habitat for Humanity Okaloosa County has an open-door policy: All who believe that everyone needs a decent, affordable place to live are welcome to help with the work, regardless of race, religion, age, gender, political views or any of the other distinctions that too often divide people. In short, Habitat welcomes volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds and also serves people in need of decent housing regardless of race or religion. As a matter of policy, Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliated organizations do not proselytize. This means that Habitat will not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must either adhere to or convert to a particular faith, or listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Founded in Americus, Georgia, USA, in 1976, Habitat for Humanity today operates around the globe and has helped build, renovate and repair more than 600,000 decent, affordable houses sheltering more than 3 million people.
Our Local History
Habitat for Humanity Okaloosa County was established in 1991 by a group of local businessmen that saw a need for better living conditions for the working families in our community. In 1993 the first Habitat home was completed in Baker, Florida. For the past 26 years Habitat for Humanity has been building stronger lives for mothers, fathers and children in our neighborhoods.
At the end of 2018 sixty-one homes have been completed with more than 122 children’s lives changed for the better. Offering a hand-up, not a hand-out, the Habitat mission enables the American dream to become a reality for families that often times would not be able to succeed without assistance.
With the help of more than 600 volunteers a year and more than 1,500 volunteer hours per home, Habitat completes an average of 2-4 each year.
Habitat for Humanity Okaloosa County opened the current location of Habitat ReStore in Fort Walton Beach in 2008, and the second Okaloosa ReStore opened in Crestview in 2015. The ReStore offers the affiliate an opportunity to raise funds from donated building materials, furniture and appliances. New and used inventory is sold to the community at 50-75% off retail prices, offering an alternative for individuals to purchase materials at a great discount while helping Habitat. The long-term goal of the ReStore is to generate additional funds to build homes in the community by eliminating waste in our landfills. Donate to Recycle – Shop to Save!
