The History of Habitat for Humanity
of Ottawa County
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Habitat for Humanity of Ottawa County, Inc. was organized on July 14, 1993, as a nonprofit corporation (Charter No. 849421) under the Ohio Nonprofit Corporation Act and is recognized as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. We became an official Habitat for Humanity affiliate on October 1, 1994.
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Now over 30 years strong, we have helped more than 50 families through new home construction and critical home repairs. In 2019, we celebrated our 25th anniversary as an affiliate and began building our 25th home. Since then, we’ve expanded our efforts to meet the growing need for affordable housing in Ottawa County, with a strategic plan to increase our annual home builds from one to four per year starting in 2025.
Our Mission
Habitat for Humanity of Ottawa County works in partnership with God and people from all walks of life to build and renovate homes, creating safe, decent, and affordable housing in communities where every person can experience God’s love and grow into all that God intends.
Our goal is to sponsor projects that support community development—starting with the construction of modest but adequate housing—and to collaborate with other organizations that share our mission.
How It Works
Each partner family is required to contribute 300–500 hours of sweat equity, helping to build their own home or working on other Habitat projects. Through partnerships with local churches, businesses, and dedicated volunteers, we’re able to keep construction costs low through donated materials and volunteer labor.
Families purchase their homes through affordable, low-interest mortgages. Their monthly payments are reinvested into our Fund for Humanity, which helps us build more homes for other families in need.
Our Impact
To date, Habitat for Humanity of Ottawa County has sold over 30 homes and completed nearly 20 critical home repairs throughout the county. Our work has reached families in Port Clinton, Oak Harbor, Graytown, Genoa, Marblehead, Elmore, Rocky Ridge, and Clay Center—building strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter.
