A New Blueprint: Millard Fuller is Back at Work, Building Homes for the Poor

Housing pioneer Millard Fuller publicly launched his new organization earlier this month, announcing a new name, dedicating the headquarters, and providing two grants to community groups. The organization, The Fuller Center for Housing, will provide funding to groups that are building quality and affordable housing for the poor, the driving passion for Millard and Linda Fuller for more than 29 years.

The announcement was a welcome celebration after several months of vicious battles with Habitat for Humanity that resulted in the firing of not only Millard, but his wife Linda. It is an encouragement to see Millard, 70, look beyond that to the needs that still need to be met.

Addressing a crowd on the grounds of the renovated 1860’s era house at 701 South Martin Luther King Blvd. in Americus, Georgia, that will serve as The Center’s offices, Fuller said that “all of the good work that has been done to provide affordable housing for the poor pales in comparison to the work that is yet to be done.”

“Linda and I never considered departing from the mission that God set before us three decades ago,” Mr. Fuller said. “We will seek to help anyone who picks up a hammer and saw to help put a roof over the head of a neighbor in need.”

Group Adopts New Name
The Fuller Center for Housing was initially named “Building Habitat” as an indication of a willingness and intention to work cooperatively and to support Habitat for Humanity affiliates in the U.S. and around the world. However, the name was changed following the filing of a federal lawsuit by Habitat for Humanity International against Millard Fuller and the new organization, alleging trademark infringement.

“We don’t want either organization to spend donated dollars on a lawsuit,” Fuller said. “We want the money to be used to build houses for the poor.”

--James Jewell