October 2, 2019: Habitat KC Celebrates 40 Years
Habitat KC celebrates 40 years of building strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter. Since 1979, Habitat KC has built or renovated more than 700 homes and has enriched the lives of thousands of families through our affordable housing solutions. In the next 40 years, Habitat KC will build a Kansas City community where everyone has a decent place to live.
March 23, 2019: Habitat KC launches Pride Build KC
Habitat KC hosts its first Pride Build, inviting members and allies of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities to support our vision of a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to call home. One of the stars of Netflix’s Queer Eye, Bobby Berk, helped with the construction.
July, 2016: Habitat KC and Habitat Heartland merge
Habitat for Humanity/Kansas City and Heartland Habitat for Humanity combine to form Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City.
June 28, 2013: Habitat KC launches Rock the Block
Habitat for Humanity/Kansas City launches its Home Preservation Program, with its first Rock the Block event, a one-day event that brings hundreds of volunteers to one neighborhood to make repairs to houses. The event not only improves properties but creates a sense of community and pride for the families who live in the neighborhood.
September 24, 2012: Mary Pritchard Dies
Mary Pritchard dies. A year before her death, Habitat for Humanity/Kansas City named its newest neighborhood project, a small development of five homes in southeast Kansas City, Pritchard Place in honor of Mary and John.
October 10, 2009: Habitat KC celebrates 30 Years
Habitat KC celebrates its 30th anniversary. Thanks to the financial strain accompanying the recession, the celebration was more low-key than past events had been.
December 1, 2007: Habitat KC dedicates 200th Home
Habitat for Humanity/Kansas City dedicates its 200th house built since 1979. This home was our first “green build,” constructed with an emphasis on sustainable building practices.
2006: The House that Mary Built
Construction of The House that Mary Built begins. This special themed build, inspired by Mary Pritchard, is created “to recognize the important roles women fulfill in our family life, our community and the ministry of Habitat for Humanity.” Donors could sponsor a square foot of the house in honor of Mary, an important woman in their lives, or as a Mother’s Day gift.
August 4, 2005: Habitat KC Founder John Pritchard Dies
A profile written by his alma mater, Princeton University, notes that the Kansas City Star had once said, “Few can claim to have made a community contribution equaling that of John Pritchard.”
2003: House of Abraham completes First Home
The first House of Abraham is dedicated. The House of Abraham project is a collaboration between Kansas City’s Jewish, Christian, and Muslin communities to promote interfaith cooperation and community. The group begins by constructing a house every other year, but by 2018 the group commits to one house per year.