Resilience. In a year dominated by COVID-19, economic upheaval, price spikes and supply chain disruptions, resilience was the hallmark of the families served by Habitat for Humanity, as well as the organization’s supporters, partners and staff.

Habitat’s annual report for fiscal year 2021, released today, shows how through determination and creativity, the leading global housing nonprofit organization helped more than 4.2 million people build or improve the place they call home. Buoyed by the support of more than a half million volunteers who helped build, advocate and raise awareness about the global need for shelter, families achieved new and better shelter at a time when a healthy home was the first line of defense in the pandemic.
"While the pandemic has brought so much uncertainty to so much of our lives, one thing that has not wavered is Habitat’s commitment to building a stronger world through safe, decent and affordable shelter,” said Jonathan T.M. Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “Thanks to the supporters and volunteers who put Habitat’s mission into action every day, another 4.2 million people have a better, safer and healthier place to lay their heads at night."

The report covers the organization’s first full fiscal year (July 1, 2020 June 30, 2021) during the COVID-19 pandemic. While many of the organization’s traditional activities were affected or curtailed by public health considerations, the network of Habitat affiliates in all 50 states in the U.S., and national programs in more than 70 countries, innovated new ways to execute the mission. For example, the report highlights how through the Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter, Habitat accelerated 20 new high-impact shelter startups and supported more than 86,000 people through the MicroBuild Fund.

The report also demonstrates how the organization’s supporters were able to continue to make impact beyond traditional building activities. More than 8.5 million people globally gained the potential to improve their housing conditions through Habitat’s advocacy and training work. Throughout the pandemic, Habitat leveraged its Cost of Home advocacy campaign in the U.S. to secure Congressional support for emergency housing initiatives to aid those economically impacted by the pandemic. That advocacy helped secure $9.96 billion for a homeowner assistance fund to help families avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes.