Philly homes built by President Carter, Habitat for Humanity still standing decades later

PHILADELPHIA - President Jimmy Carter’s legacy will carry on in so many ways and continues to in Philadelphia, where he helped build homes with his wife alongside Habitat for Humanity decades ago.

The five low-income rowhomes on West Wilt Street, off North 19th Street, still have Habitat families living in them, where they pay an affordable mortgage.

"It means a lot to me, because helping people means a lot to me, and he helped people to be able to afford low-income housing," said Illona Johnson, who has lived in one of the homes for 30 years.

In June 1988, President Carter and his wife Rosalynn worked alongside Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia staff, volunteers and homeowners to renovate the five vacant houses that were sold to first-time homebuyers. 

He said to FOX 29 at the time, "In this country, we’ve got hundreds of thousands of people who don’t have any homes and others that live in homes that are a disgrace to human being, and we’re trying not only to build some homes in 300 American communities and 25 foreign countries, but to let the whole world know that there are many people that need a decent home and don’t have it."

Fittingly, the Habitat Philadelphia office sits right across the street.

"They helped put not only Habitat Philadelphia, but Habitat for Humanity across the map. It is remarkable that the homes they worked on in 1988 are still owned by Habitat families," said CEO Corinne O’Connell. "I get to come to work every day as a reminder of the Carter’s legacy."

According to Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia, President Carter spent much of his time post-presidency dedicated to Habitat for Humanity and helped to build 4,390 homes alongside more than 104,000 volunteers in 14 countries. For decades, he and his wife, Rosalynn, hosted the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project. The project attracts thousands of volunteers and continues to inspire millions around the world each year.

O’Connell says they are talking about a possible street dedication down the road, but she knows there is one sure way to continue to honor the Carters.

"They weren’t names on building people, they were more swing the hammer and get the job done, and so I think in that spirit, what we should do, is build more homes so that more families have a place to live," she said.

For Johnson, who raised her son in the home, now 40-years-old and with a family of his own, along with foster children, she says it’s a reminder to keep giving back.

"They need to come out and volunteer some time. They do; you learn a lot. When I volunteered, I learned a lot," she said. "You gotta’ help somebody, you can’t sit around and not help nobody, you can’t do that."

Habitat for Humanity's Philadelphia branch sent FOX 29 a tribute following the former president's death: 

"Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia mourns the passing of President Jimmy Carter. During his life, President Carter rose to the most powerful office in the world and yet, remained grounded in his faith and rooted in his humble beginnings.

President Carter spent much of his time post-presidency dedicated to Habitat for Humanity and helped to build 4,390 homes alongside more than 104,000 volunteers in 14 countries. For decades, he and his wife, Rosalynn, hosted the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project. The project attracts thousands of volunteers and continues to inspire millions around the world each year.

Locally, President Carter and Rosalynn worked alongside Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia staff, volunteers and homeowners to renovate five vacant houses on the 1900 block of Wilt Street in North Philadelphia in 1988 that were sold to first-time homebuyers.

The world is a better place because of President Carter, and not just for the homes he had a hand in building. His emphasis on our shared humanity is an inspiration to all. Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia lifts the entire Carter family in our prayers."