ReStore: Mission
In June 2003 we opened the first ReStore in Anne Arundel County, followed by the first ReStore in Baltimore City in April 2008. The mission of the ReStore is threefold:

• to generate income that enables Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake (HFHC) to create affordable homeownership opportunities in Baltimore and Anne Arundel County
• to serve the community by providing quality products at affordable prices
• to preserve our environment by keeping reusable items out of our landfills

The ReStore accomplishes its mission by accepting donated building materials, appliances, furniture, cabinets, and more and reselling them to the general public. 100% of the profits from the ReStore support Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake. In 2009 our combined ReStore locations diverted over 1,000,000 pounds of material from the waste stream.

In today’s economic and fundraising climate, it is extremely important for HFHC to diversify its funding sources and become more self-sustainable. HFHC is challenged with the ongoing need for operating support, in addition to the gap in funding between construction sponsors and actual costs. All of this at a time when land acquisition and construction costs are increasing.  This is why the success of the ReStore is so vital to the success of HFHC. Every dollar in profit from the ReStore is one dollar less that HFHC relies on from external sources.

Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake: Mission
Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake is a non-profit Christian ministry that works with people from all faiths and walks of life to build and renovate decent houses for affordable homeownership throughout Anne Arundel County and the Baltimore metropolitan region.  Houses are sold at no profit through no-interest mortgages to qualified homebuyers who earn 25% to 50% of the area median income. There are three main criteria for involvement in the homeownership program: need; income eligibility; and willingness to partner.

Since 1982, countless volunteers, individual donations and generous foundation support have enabled HFHC to transform 255 properties into safe, decent homes. Over 400 family members are currently living in Habitat homes; of these, at least half are children.

Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake: History
In 1976 Millard Fuller founded Habitat for Humanity International with a mission of building simple, decent, affordable houses for low-income families. His goal was singular: to eliminate poverty housing around the world. In 1982 Chesapeake Habitat for Humanity became one of the first urban affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International and the 16th affiliate in the country. At the time, more than 6,000 vacant houses blighted the landscape of Baltimore City, MD. Therefore Chesapeake Habitat decided to renovate the existing housing stock in order to provide safe, affordable homes while eliminating vacant, dilapidated properties. A few years later, in 1987, Arundel Habitat for Humanity was founded in order to address the housing issues facing the residents of Anne Arundel County, MD.

On July 1st, 2009 Chesapeake Habitat and Arundel Habitat merged in order to more efficiently serve a greater number of low-income families.  Going forward, the merged organization will be known as Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake. This represents an exciting time in our history as we are now one of the largest affiliates on the East Coast. Our combined strengths will allow us to work in a larger geographical area to help build communities and tackle poverty housing.