Our History
Building Homes, Strengthening Communities
Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity began its journey in 1987, founded by Reid and Linda Murchison alongside dedicated volunteers from the Church of the Good Shepherd. What started as a modest effort—building one home a year—has grown into a major force for affordable housing in our region.
In 2025-2026, we started 17 homes, making a lasting impact on families in New Hanover, Pender, and Duplin Counties. Since our founding, we’ve served over 500 families, providing education, resources, and access to stable housing.
This includes our Repair Program, launched in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Florence, which helped many families rebuild and restore their homes.
At Cape Fear Habitat, inclusivity is at the heart of everything we do. We’re a community of staff, partners, volunteers, homeowners, and donors, all united in our commitment to equity. Our outreach is intentional, our application process transparent, and we offer multilingual support to ensure that everyone has access to the opportunities we provide.
In recent years, we’ve seen significant growth, driven by the increasing need for affordable homeownership in the Cape Fear Region. In New Hanover County alone, home value increased by over 55% from 2010 to 2023 (Cape Fear Collective), while wages have been stagnant. The average age of a homebuyer is now 40, an all-time high (National Association of Realtors). As one of the few providers of affordable housing in the area, we know that our evolution isn’t just a matter of expansion—it’s a responsibility. And as the demand for affordable housing continues to rise, so too does our commitment to meet it. Together, we’re building not just homes, but stronger communities.
Be Part of Our History
