Through Shelter We Empower

Our Mission

Seeking to put God’s love into action, Central Valley Habitat for Humanity, Inc. brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope.

Our Vision

A world where everyone has a decent place to live.

Two children, a boy with red hair holding a stuffed animal and a girl with long dark hair wearing a white dress, standing in front of two new gray houses with white railings and stairs.

Who We Are

Central Valley Habitat for Humanity is an independent affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, the ecumenical Christian housing ministry founded by Millard and Linda Fuller in 1976. Habitat for Humanity is a global nonprofit housing organization working in nearly 1,400 communities across the United States and in 70 countries around the world. Habitat for Humanity affiliates are local Habitat for Humanity organizations that act in partnership with and on behalf of Habitat for Humanity International. Each Habitat affiliate coordinates all aspects of Habitat home building in its local area.

Habitat welcomes people from all walks of life to partner in serving families in need and creating a better community for everyone who lives here.

Central Valley Habitat for Humanity was organized in 1988 when a group of volunteers at the Bridgewater Interchurch Food Pantry became concerned about the deplorable housing conditions they saw in the community. They incorporated as a non-profit organization and were approved as a Habitat affiliate. Central Valley Habitat dedicated its first house in Grottoes in 1989.

Since then, Central Valley Habitat for Humanity has continued to build simple, decent homes for sale to low-income families at no profit in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.

The cooperative effort between Habitat volunteers and partner families has grown to include three Habitat Campus Chapters at local schools, twenty-five Covenant Churches, and many local businesses and organizations.

Three men shaking hands indoors near a window, one holding a pamphlet, engaged in conversation.

Our Guiding Principles

Diversity and Inclusiveness

Habitat for Humanity welcomes people from all walks of life to partner with us as volunteers, donors, employees and homeowners. We celebrate and value our diversity, welcome differences and leverage the collective strengths of all people.

A Hand Up, Not a Handout

Habitat for Humanity does not build homes for people, but with them as equal partners. Habitat homeowners build alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage.

The Power of Homeownership

We believe in the power of homeownership to build strength, stability, independence, and opportunity for families and communities.

Focus on Community

Habitat for Humanity is committed not just to building homes, but to building community. We prioritize our construction efforts within focus neighborhoods to maximize our impact.

People shaking hands at a groundbreaking ceremony while holding shovels in a dirt lot with a house in the background.

Volunteerism as a Social Change Strategy

Habitat for Humanity volunteers don’t just reduce cost – they are our ambassadors and partners in helping to change the world. We are committed to offering opportunities for people in our community to put their values into action.

Collaboration

We strive to create strong, productive and mutually-beneficial partnerships with like-minded organizations in service of our common vision – a community where everyone has a decent place to live.

Transparency and Accountability

We are committed to the efficient use of our financial, environmental and human resources and to full and accurate reporting to our donors, volunteers and partners.

We’ve accomplished a lot already. But we can do more, and we are called to do more.

Our plans proposes big goals: transforming lives and neighborhoods, engaging a coalition of support, influencing housing policy and building a sustainable organization. Through the planning process, we’ve committed to thoughtful inclusive decision-making as we move forward towards these goals.

In short, it proposes a new framework for how Habitat does business.

Non-Proselytizing Policy

As a matter of policy, Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliated organizations do not proselytize. This means that Habitat will not offer assistance to the expressed or implied condition that people must either adhere to or convert to a particular faith, or listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith.

A person holds out their hands with a single yellow flower placed between their palms.

Habitat FAQ’s

Central Valley Habitat for Humanity is an ecumenical Christian housing ministry whose objective is to eliminate poverty housing from Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience. By having all people work together in equal partnership, Central Valley Habitat hopes to build new relationships and a sense of community as well as new houses.
Funding comes from individuals, churches, corporations, foundations, and other organizations which are moved by concern and compassion to help those in need. No-interest, no-profit mortgage payments are put into a local fund ‘Fund for Humanity’ and recycled to build new houses. New homeowners are also encouraged to contribute what they can in addition to their monthly house payments so they, too, can help others have decent housing.
Each affiliate is run by a local board which meets monthly to determine policy and oversee operations. Central Valley’s Board of Directors consists of ten members. Community leaders with expertise in many areas make up our Board. We also have a full-time Executive Director, a part-time Office and Finance Coordinator, a full-time Community Outreach Coordinator, and our ReStore who handles day to day operations and report to the Board of Directors.
Families apply to the local Habitat affiliate. A family selection committee evaluates applications on the basis of housing need, ability to repay the mortgage, and willingness to partner with Habitat. 400 hours of sweat equity for a couple (200 for an individual) are required. Every project follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection.

Two young girls sitting on a porch next to a bookshelf, reading books. One girl wears a face mask and bow headband, the other girl wears a pink top, with a brick wall and window in the background.

Family of six wearing red tops and black skirts or pants, standing outdoors on a sunny day, smiling for a group photo, with houses and parked cars in the background.

All donations are put into our “Fund for Humanity” and used for materials and expenses on local projects. Our goal is to build at least three houses each year. A 10% tithe on undesignated contributions is given to Habitat for Humanity International to build houses in other countries.
Yes, Central Valley Habitat for Humanity is incorporated as a tax-exempt, non-profit organization.
Volunteer signup forms can be filled out here on the website. We need volunteers to work for a day, a week, a month, a year or longer. You can help with construction, by serving on a committee, or with office-related work.
Pray for Central Valley Habitat! Join one of our nine committees. Help us secure land for building. Spread the word! Schedule or give a presentation, raise money, distribute Habitat for Humanity literature. And, of course, you can send a check to Central Valley Habitat for Humanity or donate online.
You may inquire at the Central Valley Habitat office in Bridgewater. Our phone number is (540) 828 -6288. Literature about Central Valley Habitat and Habitat International and video programs are available upon request. We would be happy to provide a speaker for your church, Sunday School, or business or civic organization.