Our History
Habitat-Owensboro Daviess County has a rich history in our community of not only building houses, but building up the individuals and families who become new homeowners by investing in them with workshops and classes.
It All Started In Georgia….
Koinonia Farm was founded in Americus, GA in 1942 by Clarence and Florence Jordan as a demonstration of service to others through generous hospitality. Koinonia’s commitment to racial equality, pacifism, and economic sharing helped create a revolutionary intentional community of believers sharing their lives and resources, following the example of the first Christian communities as described in the Bible. The radical ideas from which the community sprung brought violence to the farm in the 1950s and there was an ongoing attempted to force them out of their community.
Not to be deterred, the residents of Koinonia Farm responded with prayer, nonviolent resistance, and a renewed commitment to their way of life. As society progressed, the leadership at the farm began to focus on the poor quality of housing in their local community. Their mission pivoted as they took on the calling to build decent, affordable homes for their neighbors. Koinonia Farm’s self-proclaimed “housing ministry” evolved into Habitat for Humanity International under the leadership of Millard and Linda Fuller, who became members of Koinonia after leaving a lucrative, albeit challenging, lifestyle in New York.
Founded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity International has become a global housing organization working with people of all faith traditions and backgrounds, operating in all 50 states in the U.S. and in over 70 countries around the world. Habitat For Humanity Owensboro-Daviess County was founded in 1988 and is a 501(c)(3) housing non-profit committed to giving hardworking, low-income families a hand up, not a hand out.
Habitat Owensboro-Daviess County has a rich history in our community of not only building houses, but building up the individuals and families who become new homeowners by investing in them with workshops and classes. Our primary goal is the success of the applicants who graduate from our Homeownership Program.
