The desire to make a difference … the goal to change lives, and make sure that all of God’s people in need had a simple, decent, place to live lead a small group of six people (Willie Colbert, Kathleen Dryden, Arden Johnson, Ginny Johnson, Jim Moore, and Louise Moore) to host a meeting on September 23, 1985, at First Church of Christ in Palm Bay. The purpose of this meeting was to set up the formal organization of a Habitat for Humanity affiliate. Six standing committees were formed, and in November, 1985, South Brevard Habitat for Humanity was officially registered as an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International.

An incredible housing movement had started in Brevard and hundreds of people were getting involved. By, early 1986, South Brevard Habitat for Humanity has raised enough money to break ground on the first house to be built in Brevard County. The house was to be built with the Alexander family, and would be located in Palm Bay, and on April 13th a special ground breaking ceremony was attended by Millard Fuller, Habitat for Humanity International founder and President. Construction would now start on this 3 bedroom/1 bath (1040 sq.ft.) house. It took almost one year to complete the first house. On April 4, 1987, the house was dedicated and the keys were presented to the Alexander family with a zero interest 20 year mortgage.

In November 1987, Tom Arceneaux and Harvey Page began work to establish a Habitat for Humanity chapter in Titusville. By early 1988, the North Brevard Ministerial Association had endorsed the idea, and the first meeting was held. Meanwhile, others were working in the Central Brevard area to begin a chapter. By midyear, contact was made between the two groups to discuss a merger. Space Coast Habitat for Humanity (SCHFH), covering the area from the Pineda Causeway north to the Brevard County line, was officially incorporated in June 1989. In the spring of 1990, SCHFH dedicated their first house on First Ave., in Titusville with two additional houses under construction in Cocoa.

For 15 years Brevard County had two successful Habitat affiliates serving the very low income citizens of its community in need of simple, decent, affordable housing. With the ever rising material costs, increases in operating expenses, and the still overwhelming need for affordable housing, in 2005 the two affiliates made the decision to merge the organizations. Up to this point, the two affiliates successfully provided homeownership opportunities to nearly 150 families. Over the first 5 years as a merged affiliate, Habitat for Humanity of Brevard County, Inc. (Habitat) has provided an additional 120 families with the opportunity to build and purchase simple, decent, affordable houses.

Habitat in its effort to cost effectively serve the Brevard County affordable housing needs seeks out collaborative opportunities with other non-profits and for profit organizations to expand the scope of the mission to eliminate substandard and inadequate housing. Habitat’s partnership with Community Housing Initiative, Inc. (CHI) has enabled Habitat to streamline its intake process and eliminate duplication of services in many cases. By partnering with the different municipalities housing replacement programs, Habitat is more completely meeting its mission of eliminating substandard housing to the benefit of local homeowners and the neighborhoods they live. Space Coast Youthbuild is a partnership with Brevard Community College, the Department of Labor, and the Brevard County School Board which gives local “at-risk” youths, ages 16-24, the opportunity to earn their GED and receive hands-on trades training and life skills on Habitat construction sites. Working with partners like the Community of Hope and Macedonia Community Development Corporation of South Brevard, Habitat has been able to respond to the desperate need for low-income rentals units in our community. These types of partnerships are transforming the lives of local families and communities.

While Habitat is a local grassroots organization dedicated to servingBrevard County residents, it also recognizes its global responsibility. Therefore Habitat tithes 10% of all its unrestricted contributions to Habitat for Humanity International to do its part in providing homeownership opportunities globally to families in other nations. Over Habitat’s 25 years, nearly $400,000 has been tithed to Guatemala, Northern Ireland, Egypt, India, Jordan and Haiti providing over 190 families with a simple, decent, affordable house to call home.

As a local and global family we are Building Houses … Building Hope