Our History
Founded in 1994, Habitat for Humanity of Visalia started as a volunteer organization focused on the vision that everyone will have a decent and affordable place to live. The founding board members set out to build their first Habitat home in Visalia and did most of the building, fundraising, and daily business for the affiliate. The first home was completed in December of 1995.
Starting in the summer of 2003, Habitat increased its service area to include all of Tulare County, changing its name to “Habitat for Humanity of Tulare County”.
The First ReStore, building materials thrift store, opened in 2004 in Visalia. It takes in donations of usable building materials and supplies, and sell them to the general public to help fund Habitat’s mission.
Habitat purchased a 11,000 sq feet of warehouse space at 637 S Lovers Lane in 2011, with the vision that the Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore could become a sustainable source of income for the affiliate and its building programs. Since it’s opening on Lovers Lane, the store has seen a steady increase in donations and customers.
With the growing need to serve more people in the community, the Board of Directors voted to go through the necessary steps to add Kings County to the affiliate’s service area. In April of 2016, we officially became Habitat for Humanity of Tulare/Kings Counties.
We continue to work with hard-working local families to help provide first-time homeownership opportunities, and give them the chance to build strength, stability and self-reliance. Offering a hand-up, not a hand-out, provides life-long change for their family and the entire community.
Our Communities
More than 40% of Tulare and Kings Counties families are considered “cost-burdened” when it comes to housing. This means that they are paying around 50% of the household income on rent. The need for affordable housing is great but because of the continued support of businesses, congregations, service organizations, and individuals, Habitat for Humanity is able to make a difference in our community.
Our Approach
Habitat for Humanity of Tulare/Kings Counties works in partnership with volunteers, and donors to achieve our mission. Our partners include corporations, churches, foundations, organizations, and individual donors from our community who contribute money, labor, and materials to fund projects in Tulare/Kings Counties.
You can get involved with Habitat for Humanity in Tulare and Kings Counties by sponsoring a Habitat build, volunteering at a job-site or in the ReStore, attending our events, or donating directly to Habitat projects.
Encourage your friends and family to give what they can to help Habitat build homes for hard-working, low-income families. Together we can build homes, communities, and hope.
Our Governance
Habitat for Humanity of Tulare/Kings Counties is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Board members volunteer for a three year term and are limited to two terms of service.