Our History

Building Homes, Community & Hope

For over 40 years, Habitat for Humanity of Sonoma County has brought people together to build homes, strengthen communities, and create hope.

“One of the basic human rights is housing. The right not only to have a place to live, but to have it be your own”

Jimmy Carter

Guided by a belief that generational change and lasting impact comes from a stable home, we partner with families, volunteers, and donors to turn that vision into reality.

1942

The Beginning
Habitat’s roots trace back to Koinonia Farm, Americus, Georgia, where the Jordan and England families built a community based on equality, shared resources, and stewardship of land.
Partnership Housing & Fund for Humanity
The first formal model of partnership housing is created.

Families in need of adequate shelter work alongside volunteers to build affordable homes.

No-interest loans, fundraising, and homeowner payments fund construction.

1968
1969

First Partnership Home
The first home under this model is completed near Koinonia Farm, Georgia.
Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International is officially recognized under Georgia law.

Rapid growth: 342 homes built in 14 U.S. states and 7 international locations within five years.

1976
1984

Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Join
Former President Carter brings national attention, volunteering with hands-on builds and advocating for social justice through affordable housing.
Sonoma County Affiliate Founded
Local volunteers create Habitat for Humanity of Sonoma County to address poverty housing.

Focus initially on home rehabilitation and essential repairs.

1984
1991

First New Home Build in Sonoma County
Our affiliate completes its first new home for the Carrillo family, marking a shift toward full home construction alongside volunteers.
Blitz Build
Our second home is built on Ripley Street as a Blitz Build – a home built in one week!

2000
2003

ReStore is Born
ReStore of Sonoma County opens its doors in its first location, spearheaded by Jack Blankenship
Home Builds Ramp Up
We add 26 more affordable homes throughout Sonoma County – in Santa Rosa, Healdsburg, Sebastopol, Cotati, Graton, and Healdsburg

2005 - 2020
2010

Expanded Programming
Expanding programs include home repair, ReStore, and affordable homeownership initiatives.

Thousands of volunteer hours and donated materials help strengthen local neighborhoods.
Blankenship Place & Two Builds in the Pipeline
Our four-townhome Blankenship Place build in downtown Sebastopol is completed in September 2026.

Our Aging in Place program fully relaunched in October 2026, supporting low-income seniors with emergency & essential home repairs

2026
2027 & Beyond

We have two projects in the pipeline in Healdsburg & Windsor, with the potential to create 26-40 affordable homes here in Sonoma County.

Today

Achievements

homes built, with four new townhomes underway

117

homes repaired

133

family members helped (47 adults, 86 children)

120

seniors supported through home repair programs

Every home, repair, and volunteer hour creates stability, equity, and long-term opportunity for families and the Sonoma County community.

Our History

Building Homes, Community & Hope

Guided by a belief that generational change and lasting impact comes from a stable home, we partner with families, volunteers, and donors to turn that vision into reality.

1942

1968

1969

1976

1984

1984

1991

2000

2003

2005 - 2020

2010

2026

2027 & Beyond

Today

Achievements

Newsletter Signup

Quick Links