For the past 25 years, Habitat for Humanity Bermuda has been dedicated to transforming lives by providing safe, decent and affordable housing for individuals and families in need.
Habitat has been working to address this urgent need by restoring derelict homes and transforming them into safe, liveable spaces.
Through a combination of volunteer labour, community partnerships and ongoing fundraising, the organisation renovates and repairs homes that are substandard or uninhabitable, helping to restore dignity and security to those facing housing challenges and to help ensure that these homes remain in our depleting inventory of affordable housing.
Every project is grounded in the belief that everyone deserves a healthy place to live. By transforming unsafe housing into secure, affordable homes, Habitat helps build stronger families and stronger communities.
Historic milestone
This year marks the 25th anniversary since Habitat for Humanity Bermuda was formed. It’s a milestone that stands not only as a testament to the enduring strength and generosity of the
Bermudian spirit, but also as a tribute to its founders, Jack Carter and Jim Stannard. They started the charity 25 years ago, following in the steps of Mr Carter’s father, former United States President Jimmy Carter, who was the cornerstone of Habitat for Humanity International.
Twenty-five years ago, while Jack Carter was living in Bermuda with his wife Elizabeth, he
identified a need for families living in sub-par homes.
Drawing inspiration from the global Habitat for Humanity movement, Mr Carter and Mr Stannard launched the Bermuda chapter, an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, with a simple yet profound mission: to provide safe and decent housing for those in need.
In 2001, just a year after its inception, Habitat for Humanity Bermuda achieved official charity status: a critical step in empowering the group to access resources, attract volunteers and scale up its efforts.
The first years were marked by fundraising, community outreach, and the forging of a first-class board, including Sheelagh Cooper and Buddy Rego. In 2010, Ms Cooper took the helm of the organisation to run Habitat under her role as the board chair. She has continued to bring her passion and knowledge to this role for the past 15 years. Recently, Sandra Christensen was hired as executive director to take the burden of the day-to-day operations away from the chair role. However, Ms Cooper will continue as chair and will be a vital resource for the charity by providing her incredible knowledge of the charity and her passion for the needs on this island.
25 years of impact and accomplishment
Over the past 25 years, Habitat for Humanity Bermuda has remained steadfast in its commitment to alleviating housing hardship. The numbers alone are impressive:
- More than 400 small home renovations completed, directly improving living conditions for about 1,600 Bermudians. These projects have provided safer, healthier environments for some of the island’s most vulnerable residents, including single mothers with children and the elderly.
- Beyond individual renovations, Habitat for Humanity Bermuda has played a central role in several major projects with lasting community impact.
Recent projects and ongoing work
Habitat for Humanity Bermuda remains as active as ever in the community. In the current year alone, the organisation is on pace to complete more than 20 small home improvement projects. Fifteen of these projects are already finished. The scope of work includes:
- Repairing water damage to ensure homes are dry and healthy.
- Replacing outdated or unsafe electrical and plumbing systems.
- Repairing or replacing windows and doors for increased safety and insulation.
- Restoring and painting roofs to extend their longevity.
- Modernising bathrooms and kitchens for better functionality and quality of life.
- Ceiling repairs to address leaks and structural concerns.
Each of these rehabilitation projects target homes that were previously in derelict or unsafe condition, ensuring that all are now habitable and in good working order. Through this work, Habitat for Humanity Bermuda not only addresses immediate needs but also invests in keeping affordable housing in our island’s inventory.
Signature large-scale community projects
- The Transformational Living Centre (now HOME for Families): A pioneering facility built to accommodate up to 10 homeless women with children, offering a safe environment and support as they transition to independent living.
- The St James Rectory (now Bridge House): A collaborative effort with the Anglican Church and Bermuda Hospitals Board. A derelict church rectory was transformed into a Residential Treatment Centre, now providing a supportive home for eight individuals previously institutionalised for long-term mental health care.
- Grace Place: An innovative affordable housing initiative in Devonshire, made possible by the generosity of an anonymous donor. The project repurposed a derelict property into four affordable apartments which house single mothers and children previously living at HOME for Families (former Transformational Living Centre), allowing them the freedom and independence that they strived for during their two years in the life changing programme offered by HOME for Families.
