San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity (SGVHFH) was founded in 1990. The idea of starting a San Gabriel Valley affiliate came from John “Ace” Cain. Other early leaders of the new organization were Merwyn Fair, Patricia Myers, and Jack Conroy. They laid the groundwork for formation of the affiliate through a series of meetings held in 1989. As social justice advocates they viewed affordable housing as a matter of conscience, and they were committed to actions that would create more affordable housing in the San Gabriel Valley.

Since its start, SGVHFH has built 43 houses and has 11 more under construction, providing 275 men, women and children with safe, decent, affordable shelter. The mortgage payments from the 39 families are deposited in the affiliate’s “Fund for Humanity” and are used to build additional houses. A gift to San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity is truly a gift that keeps on giving!

Important accomplishments for SGV Habitat:

January 1991
A two-story duplex at 171 and 173 Maple Street in Pasadena was the first build for the new affiliate. Two families moved in upon completion of the homes in June 1992. These were the first Habitat houses completed in Los Angeles County.

October 1994
The second development was at 531-5331/2 Allen Street in Glendale. This four-unit condo complex (two duplexes) was finished in April 1995. These homes were built in partnership with the City of Glendale Department of Community Development and Housing.

July 1995
The largest build ever undertaken by SGVHFH was in Duarte. This development was located at 602 – 634 Euclid Avenue in Duarte and consisted of 16 condominium homes configured as eight duplexes. Building was completed in March 1998. Major support for this development came from the County of Los Angeles Community Development Commission.

April 2000
The fourth build took place in the City of El Monte where three separate houses were constructed on one lot at 2502- 2506 Burkett Street. Construction began in April 2000, and the new houses were ready for the families by March 2001. SGVHFH partnered in this development with the City of El Monte Department of Housing and Community Development.

March 2001
Four condominiums at 1256 South Orange Street in Glendalewere started in March 2001 and completed in January 2002. The build was possible through a partnership with the City of Glendale Department of Housing and Community Development.

October 2003
Three condominiums at 1830 Gardena Street in Glendale were completed in October 2003. This was made possible by partnering with the City of Glendale Department of Housing and Community Development.

February 2004
A fourth Glendale project was built at 401–411 S. Pacific. Groundbreaking was in February 2004, and the four new homes were dedicated on November 19, 2005. This was accomplished in partnership of the City of Glendale Department of Housing and Community Development and the Glendale Housing Authority.

February 2006
Three more condominium homes were built at 900 and 904 E. Palmer Avenue and 1201 Cottage Grove. The development was launched at a groundbreaking ceremony on February 2006, and the homes were dedicated on September  2007. This fifth development in Glendale was made possible through a partnership with the Glendale Housing Authority and the Department of Housing and Community Development.

2007
San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity waged a successful Campaign to raise $1.1M and thus become eligible to build 11 condominium units at 711-717 N. Kenwood Street. Groundbreaking took place in 2007.  Construction is ongoing and completed homes are expected by spring of 2010. Fundraising to pay the costs of lifts for handicapped accessibility for two of the homes is underway, and $55,000 more is still needed. Gifts-in-kind of materials and pro bono services to complete these homes are needed.

2008
The City of Monrovia initiated a partnership with San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity to build four new homes at 1214-1218 Sherman Avenue in Monrovia. Groundbreaking took place in the fall of 2008 and the homes were dedicated on March 6, 2010.

2009
In June of 2009, Glendale’s Housing Authority took unanimous action to enter into an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA) with San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity to build five homes at 624-630 Geneva Street. During the next 14 months, City and SGV Habitat for Humanity will develop the details of a Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA) that will advance the project to DDA approvals, entitlements, fundraising and groundbreaking. Cash for $600,000 must be raised and gifts-in-kind of building materials and pro bono services must be secured so that five more deserving, low-income families who live and/or work in Glendale will achieve the dream of homeownership. Geneva will be SGV Habitat for Humanity’s first “green” build.