Chesapeake Habitat for Humanity, incorporated in 1982, became one of the first urban affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International. Under the tireless direction of our first president, Lynwood B. Jenkins, Chesapeake Habitat pioneered the use of Habitat International's principles in a city setting. At the time, more than 6,000 vacant houses blighted the landscape of Baltimore.  While most Habitat for Humanity affiliates build new houses from the foundation up, Chesapeake Habitat's Board of Directors decided to renovate the existing housing stock in order to provide safe, affordable homes while eliminating vacant properties.

Chesapeake Habitat continues to carry out the principles envisioned by its founders by renovating vacant houses for homeownership and selling them at their appraised value to lower-income families.  Chesapeake Habitat for Humanity is an independent affiliate of HFHI.  We receive training and support from HFHI, but we rely completely on local supporters for funding and volunteer labor.