Our Mission

Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County seeks to build community and improve lives by partnering with low-income families, community volunteers and donors to build decent and affordable homes in stable and welcoming neighborhoods.

About Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County

Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County (Habitat CFC) is a nonprofit organization that builds communities and improves lives by eliminating substandard housing and creating affordable homeownership possibilities by partnering with families in Fairfield County. Habitat CFC has a well-earned reputation for success in transforming abandoned properties into homes for taxpaying, contributing community members throughout the region. Since 1985, we have built or rehabbed 285 homes helping over 1,100 family members in Fairfield County.

We are dedicated to eliminating substandard housing by constructing new homes and rehabilitating previously owned Habitat homes. Habitat CFC works to eliminate barriers to a better, healthier, more financially stable life. With our help, Habitat homeowners achieve the strength, stability and independence they need to build a better future for themselves and their families. Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all.

Habitat CFC activities in Fairfield County include more than just building homes for families, we are a construction company with a green focus, a family services agency, a non-profit financial institution, an affordable housing advocate and a community service project provider for thousands of people each year. We also operate a ReStore in Stratford, CT. The ReStore is nonprofit home improvement and donation center that sells quality new and used furniture, appliances, home accessories and building materials to the public at low cost. We are protecting the environment by keeping furniture and other items out of landfills. And all of the proceeds from the store go directly to building more Habitat homes!

At Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County, we are committed to creating a culture where  diversity, equity and inclusion are central to our mission to build community and improve lives by  partnering with low-income families, community volunteers and donors to build decent and affordable  homes in stable and welcoming neighborhoods. 

Diversity: We celebrate and commit to increasing the diversity of our staff, homeowners, volunteers  and donors, in all its forms, including race and ethnicity, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation,  socioeconomic status, language, culture, national origin, religion, age, disability status, and political  perspective. We recognize that a diverse workplace strengthens our organization as it broadens our  perspectives and allows us to leverage the collective strengths of all people. We commit to advocating  for fair and affordable housing for everyone in our community, especially those experiencing  discrimination.  

Equity: We commit to strive towards equal and just access to homeownership. We will work actively to  challenge and respond to bias, harassment, and discrimination. We are committed to a policy of equal  opportunity for all persons and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age,  marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity, disability, religion or veteran status.  

Inclusion: We seek to create an environment where all voices are heard, differences are welcomed and  each person feels a sense of inclusion and belonging. Together we can accomplish our mission of  building community and changing lives.  

Statement from Carolyn Vermont, Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County CEO:

“I have spent my career in greater Bridgeport, working tirelessly to bring  communities together to accomplish great goals. We are so proud of HFHCFC, and the work we have  accomplished to date, but much more remains to be done to address the inequities of home ownership.  We are focused on closing the racial homeownership gap that adversely impacts.”

 

About Habitat for Humanity International:

Founded in Americus, Georgia, USA, Habitat for Humanity today operates around the globe and has helped more than 1 million families — representing 6.8 million people — improve their living conditions since its founding in 1976.