Did Jimmy Carter start Habitat?

In March 1984, President and Mrs. Carter worked with Habitat in Americus, Georgia. This led up to their long-term involvement with us. They quickly realized that our mission closely aligned with their values, and a partnership was formed. Just a few months later, in September of that same year, the Carters led a Habitat for Humanity work group to New York, serving 19 families in need of safe, affordable housing. That was the inaugural Carter Work Project, which is now a weeklong event taking place in a different location all over the world each year.