Our History

In 1989, a group of Brown County citizens worked to form a local affiliate for Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, nondenominational Christian housing organization dedicated to providing simple, decent, affordable housing for those who need adequate shelter. And thus, “Brown County Indiana Habitat for Humanity” (BCHFH) was born.

The first Brown County Habitat house was built in 1990 for a family of four on Salt Creek Road. Since that beginning 20 more houses have been built in three different townships of the county. Twenty-one families, have become homeowners and gained a new lease on a hopeful future. We completed work on the 21st house in 2020.

In addition, beginning in the early 90s, Brown County Habitat has done many home repairs, one addition, and several ramps through the “Brush with Kindness” program.

Through the use of volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, BCHFH builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner (partner) families. The houses are sold to partner families with affordable, no interest loans.

Habitat is not a give-away program. In addition to monthly mortgage payments, partner families contribute at least 250 hours of sweat equity and at least a $500 down payment. The Board of Directors meets every other month, and the Executive Committee meets on the alternate months. We have a pool of volunteers with various skills. We receive financial support from churches, civic organizations, individuals, the Brown County Community Foundation, and several other organizations, plus conduct annual fund-raising events.

In addition to helping 21 families become new homeowners, we have completed several rehabilitation projects and many smaller projects for many elderly households.