Habitat - Powhatan is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. This affiliate was founded in 2001 by the Rev. Bob Partlow, who remains instrumental in our efforts. Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with people who need decent, affordable housing. Working together with selected families and other volunteers, we build (or renovate) the houses, which are then sold to those in need at no profit to Habitat and with no interest charged.

Volunteers provide most of the labor and that includes professional craftsmen and those of us with limited skill, but a big heart. Our money comes from many sources including individuals, churches and civic organizations, including Bon Air friends of Habitat, grants from foundations like The Community Foundation, and fund raising events such as our Contractor Yard Sales and golf tournament. Materials are often donated by corporate suppliers like VAMAC and Goodwyn Lumber among others. Partner families themselves invest hundreds of hours of labor - "sweat equity" - into building their homes and the homes of others. Their mortgage payments go into a revolving Fund for Humanity that is used to build more houses.