Habitat for Humanity surpasses 1 million families served worldwide

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Nov 18, 2014, 10:28 ET

ATLANTA, Nov. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Habitat for Humanity has helped more than 1 million families—representing 5 million people—improve their living conditions through Habitat's housing since the organization was founded in 1976.

Habitat for Humanity has served more than 1 million families worldwide since 1976.

"We are delighted to achieve this incredible milestone and have seen the positive influence a stable home can have on families," said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. "Because of a house, families have better access to health, financial security, education and employment opportunities. We want to continue building impact so that millions more people can have decent, safe places to live."

During its 2014 fiscal year, Habitat for Humanity served more than 300,000 families— about 1.6 million people in more than 70 countries — through home construction, renovations and critical home repairs or increased access to improved shelter through products and services. The table below provides a snapshot of Habitat's global impact.

*Habitat for Humanity families served in fiscal year 2014*
U.S. and Canada	10,209
Latin America and the Caribbean	112,436
Europe, Middle East and Africa	98,873
Asia and the Pacific	91,756
Global total in fiscal year 2014	313,274

In addition to the families served through direct housing solutions, 1.6 million more people have the potential to improve their housing conditions through a variety of services including advocacy efforts that changed policies and systems to allow more access to shelter solutions, as well as training in construction and financial management.

Habitat's global mission was made possible in fiscal year 2014 thanks to the hands and hearts of more than 2 million volunteers and the financial support of our many generous donors. In addition to helping on Habitat build sites, volunteers also served as local board members, in Habitat ReStores and through affordable housing advocacy efforts.

"We believe housing is critical to providing a path out of poverty, and with 1.6 billion people still in need of adequate housing we can and will do more," said Reckford. "We are committed to helping exponentially more families and transforming communities around the world. And we are grateful to our donors and volunteers who support our mission to build homes, communities and hope."

Nearly four decades into its mission, Habitat has expanded and adapted its efforts to meet the needs of shelter situations in the countries it serves, including new home construction, rehabilitation, repairs, neighborhood revitalization, market development and advocating for policy changes at local, state and national levels worldwide.

To learn more information about Habitat for Humanity International's work, view its fiscal year 2014 annual report, "Because of This House…" which is now available: www.habitat.org/support/annual-report/2014.

About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International's vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that housing provides a path out of poverty, since 1976 Habitat has helped more than 5 million people through home construction, rehabilitation and repairs and by increasing access to improved shelter through products and services. Habitat also advocates to improve access to decent and affordable shelter and offers a variety of housing support services that enable families with limited means to make needed improvements on their homes as their time and resources allow. As a nonprofit Christian housing organization, Habitat works in more than 70 countries and welcomes people of all races, religions and nationalities to partner in its mission. To learn more, donate or volunteer, visit habitat.org

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SOURCE Habitat for Humanity International