Homes are built using volunteer labor, including that of Habitat homeowners through the practice of sweat equity, as well as paid contractors for certain construction or infrastructure activities as needed.

[2] The organization operates with financial support from individuals, philanthropic foundations, corporations, government entities, and mass media companies.

[5] Habitat for Humanity traces its roots to the establishment of the Humanity Fund by attorney Millard Fuller, his wife Linda, and Baptist theologian and farmer Clarence Jordan in 1968 at Koinonia Farm, an intercultural Christian intentional community farming community in Sumter County, Georgia, United States.

[8] Habitat for Humanity's A Brush With Kindness is a locally operated program serving low-income homeowners who struggle to maintain the exterior of their homes.

Their first project was a house donated by the South Jacksonville Presbyterian Church that was moved, setup and rehabilitated for the first HabiJax homeowner family.

Prior to embarking in June on the 4,000-mile (6,400 km) trek, participants engaged in a seven-month fundraising campaign for Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven.

However, amid growing safety concerns, Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven was forced to announce the cancellation of HBC in September 2007.

[19] Habitat affiliates in the region have remained some of the largest homebuilders in their areas and have received numerous awards and acknowledgements for their work in building quality homes.

[21] The Habitat board investigated Millard Fuller for sexual harassment but found "insufficient proof of inappropriate conduct."