Habitat for Humanity has been helping families since its inception in 1976.

Now, founder Millard Fuller has created another housing group, the Fuller Center for Housing, started in 2005, with a focus on substandard housing and homelessness.

“I’m always asked why create the Fuller Center, won’t it compete with Habitat?” Fuller said. “These groups can only compete when there is a shortage of need, and I can guarantee you that that isn’t the case.”

He was brought on campus by the Center for Sustainable Urban Neighborhoods.

“Mr. Fuller is one of the most important and historic figures in housing for the poor,” John Gilderbloom, director of SUN. “I was glad to see my students had a chance to be with him, talk to him [and] hear him.”

The Fuller Center is working in 33 towns in 20 states and seven countries, with correspondence in another 75 cities and six countries. The Center has eclipsed Habitat, by being at the same level of prominence in its third year as Habitat was in its eighth, Fuller said.

“Louisville is exciting to me because there is an element of boldness here,” Fuller said. “We have to challenge people to go beyond. If you’re not living on the edge you’re just taking up space.”

To harness the abilities of students, the Fuller Center is also in the process of organizing student groups at universities and some high schools to help on building projects. Fuller highlighted one such group from the University of Notre Dame that has been very active.

“The work of Habitat for Humanity, and now the Fuller Center for Housing, has helped transform neighborhoods and communities,” Matthew Hanka, doctoral student in urban planning, said. “These organizations have helped to improve the quality of life of everyone who lives in these communities, and have made a difference in the lives of those who helped transform these communities.”

For more information on the Fuller Center for Housing, visit www.fullercenter.org. - story by Patrick Lewis