The Fuller Center for Housing, which is faith-driven and Christ-centered, promotes collaborative and innovative partnerships with individuals and organizations in an unrelenting quest to provide adequate shelter for all people in need worldwide.
Most people are familiar with Habitat for Humanity, founded by Millard Fuller, but fewer people know about the Fuller Center for Housing, which is based on Habitat principles — but with a broader scope. The Fuller Center for Housing’s name recognition is a major challenge facing the the organization in general , but the Johnson County, Missouri affiliate in particular.
Twenty people united in 1999 to start a Habitat for Humanity organization in Johnson County, Missouri with its affiliation ending in 2001. By April 2015, the Habitat board had dwindled from 18 members to 3 members. In those 16 years, a different culture evolved and there aren’t as many volunteers with the commitment and passion for the Habitat for Humanity organizational model. People burned out. The organization floundered under Habitat’s restrictions and fees.
However, former Habitat for Humanity board members continued to recognize the local need for housing in our county and reorganized in July 2017 under the Fuller Center for Housing organizational model. Our local organization has a new name, but maintains the same mission, phone number and office location. It also continues to provide “a hand up; not a hand out.”
Currently, the organization owns several properties in Johnson County where houses can be built. It also has the option of repairing and renovating existing houses.
Applicants for Fuller Center repair assistance must own their own home and agree to provide sweat equity during the repair process. Applicants for a newly-built house, must also provide sweat equity during the construction process and repay Fuller Center for the materials used. Volunteers are always needed in a variety of ways, which includes selecting partner families and nurturing the families through the process of home ownership.