Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, passed away on Sunday at the age of 100. Before his passing, Carter championed affordable and decent housing for Americans.
Carter, who was also the longest-living president in the history of the US, has left a legacy characterized by his extensive volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity and other public health initiatives.
His partnership with Habitat for Humanity, specifically, helped build affordable housing and renovate or repair over 4,400 homes in 14 countries worldwide, per the organization's website.
How Did Carter Get Involved With Affordable Housing Initiatives?
Carter served as the US president from January 1977 through 1981. His presidential career ended after he was defeated by Ronald Reagan in the 1980 election, largely due to high inflation and the Iran hostage crisis at the time.
Shortly after leaving the White House, he founded the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project (initially known as the Jimmy Carter Work Project). The project pertains to an annual event organized by Habitat for Humanity International that involves a week-long home-building blitz. During this event, Jimmy and his wife Rosalynn lead volunteers in constructing homes for families in need.
The project typically alternates locations between the US and international sites each year. However, the first event was held in New York City, where the volunteers helped renovate a building for 19 families.
"I've learned more about the needy than I ever did as a governor, as a candidate, or as a president," Carter told The Washington Post in 1992 about his experience with Habitat for Humanity. "The sacrifice I thought I would be making turned out to be one of the greatest blessings of my life. We have become small players in an exciting global effort to alleviate the curse of homelessness."
Since its inception, the project has mobilized 108,000 volunteers and built 4,447 affordable homes in 14 countries.
It is important to note that Carter's humanitarian work led him to be awarded a Nobel Prize in 2002. He is only the third US president to receive it.
What Happens to the Carter Project Now?
Habitat for Humanity has said it will continue Carter's legacy following the late president's passing. The organization resumed its project this year in North Carolina at the Habitat Charlotte Region. The project successfully built 27 affordable single-family homes over five days, per Fox Business.
