Our History

Since our founding in 1990, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA) has built, rehabilitated and repaired nearly 800 homes locally.

Habitat LA helps to build affordable housing in 112 cities and unincorporated areas in Los Angeles County, including 70 communities within the City of Los Angeles.

Milestones

1990

The Habitat for Humanity (HFH) South Bay/Long Beach affiliate is founded by David and Diane Reed. Ricardo and Martha Gonzalez buy the first home in Long Beach.

1991

The Los Angeles and Southeast Los Angeles affiliates are founded. One of the first homes built in those areas is for the Muniz family in the City of Compton.

1995

HFH Los Angeles hosts the Jimmy Carter Work Project. More than 1500 volunteers from 39 states and five countries build 21 homes in the City of Watts during one week as a message of healing after the civil unrest in South Los Angeles.

1997

HFH South Bay/Long Beach hosts a week-long Church of the Brethren Blitz Build in Long Beach in conjunction with the church’s national conference.

2000

Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity is established and kicked off with a 20-house blitz build in Wilmington, CA. Celebrity participants include Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams, Bo Derek and Maria Shriver. Habitat for Humanity South Bay/Long Beach is awarded with its first Clarence Jordan Award for Creativity and Innovation by Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI).

2001

HFH South Bay/Long Beach is recognized for “Most Homes Built in the Region” and its second Clarence Jordan Award for Creativity and Innovation by HFHI. The affiliate partners with the entertainment industry to complete a home in the City of Long Beach in 16 days.

2003

HFH partners with famed music producer Quincy Jones to travel from Los Angeles to South Africa with the “From South Central to South Africa” group which includes several disadvantaged inner-city young people contributing to social change in their communities. The partnership not only provides volunteer power to build three homes, but also provides funding for an additional 25 homes to be built in the township of Orange Farm, South Africa.

2004

“Six Homes in Six Weeks” build takes place in Long Beach. Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity’s holds the first Power Women, Power Tools® build. The first Home Improvement Store opens in Gardena.

2005

Three Los Angeles affiliates merge to make Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA); serving 112 cities and unincorporated areas in LA. Habitat LA partners with NBC’s Today show for the Operation Home Delivery program to build house frames for the victims of Hurricanes Rita and Katrina along the Gulf region. Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity holds the Fall Build, building with stars of WB and other entertainment industry partners.

2006

Habitat LA completes 16 condominium style homes in Harbor Gateway. Habitat LA builds frames of an additional 10 homes through the Operation Home Delivery project and raises over $1.5 million to aid the local gulf region affiliates in their disaster relief efforts. HFH South Bay/Long Beach raises over $300,000 through a benefit concert with Music for Relief, Linkin Park and No Doubt for Tsunami victims in Southeast Asia.

2007

Habitat LA hosts the Jimmy Carter Work Project with over 3,000 volunteers from around the world. 30 new homes are built in LA and San Pedro and 70 homes are renovated through the A Brush with Kindness Program, which is first launched during this build event. The 30 new homes built mark the first ever Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) – certified homes built by the affiliate. Habitat LA kicks off the “Building a Greater Los Angeles” campaign.

2008

The Habitat LA gala event honors Governor Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver, Hon. Henry Cisneros, Ed Begley, Jr., and Citibank for their commitment and support. Habitat LA opens the Housing Center for Excellence in Carson.

2009

Habitat LA celebrates the Power Women, Power Tools® fifth anniversary. Habitat LA is awarded our third Clarence Jordan Award for Creativity and Innovation for the Nickels for Nails program by HFHI. Habitat LA is awarded “Outstanding Nonprofit” by the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce.

2010

Habitat LA celebrates our 20th anniversary as an affiliate and Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity celebrates its 10th anniversary helping families in need. Habitat LA opens our second ReStore in the City of Norwalk. Habitat LA partners with Wisin Y Yandel to raise funds for 14 affiliates. Habitat LA partners with the nationwide Yo Gabba Gabba Tour, which raises nearly $240,000 through ticket sales and shares proceeds with 53 other affiliates. Habitat LA is awarded over $33 million in funding from HUD for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) to build and rehabilitate homes in the cities of Long Beach, South Gate and Lynwood over the next three years. Habitat LA receives LEED-Silver Certification for new home projects in Downey and plans to finish 10 LEED certified homes in Lynwood and begin work on three homes in Long Beach.

2011

Habitat LA’s Youth United group is awarded the Building the Future award from HFHI. Habitat LA is the top tithing affiliate in California for the year and exceeds $1 million in lifetime tithe.

2012

Habitat LA launches the Habitat for Heroes program as a part of our Veterans initiative.

2013

Habitat LA is named one of only 7 Affiliates of Distinction by HFHI. Habitat LA is the top tithing affiliate nationwide. Habitat LA builds and repairs 110 homes in one year, the most ever in our history.

2014

Habitat LA is recognized as the top non-profit, 9th overall, residential housing developer in Los Angeles county by the LA Business Journal Book of Lists. Habitat LA celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Power Women, Power Tools® build. Habitat LA opens the third ReStore and moves into our new headquarters location in the City of Bellflower. Habitat LA celebrates the completion of our 500th local home.

2015

Habitat LA celebrates our 25th anniversary. Habitat LA is named one of only 14 Affiliates of Distinction by HFHI. Habitat LA celebrates the Los Angeles Builders Ball® and kicks off the Building a Greater Los Angeles campaign.

2016

Habitat LA completes our 750th home in greater Los Angeles. Habitat LA also celebrates the one year anniversary of the Torrance ReStore in April with a commendation from the City and Chamber of Commerce.

2017

Habitat LA is once again named as an Affiliate of Distinction, one of only 22 affiliates nationwide by HFHI. Habitat LA celebrates the 13th annual Power Women, Power Tools® and will celebrate the completion of our 800th home this fall.