All the homes built by the JCWP 2003 were roofed with shingles contributed by roofing manufacturers Elk Corp. and CertainTeed Corp.
One of the key words heard consistently over the 27-year history of Habitat for Humanity International has been "partnership." According to the model, local Habitat affiliates partner with churches, the business community and families in need of simple, decent housing. This partnership is just that; it is not a charity. Habitat builds homes for - and with - good people in need of a decent place to live. Homeowners help build their own home and others. They make a down payment in dollars, sign a mortgage and make monthly payments. The homes are sold at no profit, and the mortgages are interest-free. Since the founding of Habitat by Linda and Millard Fuller in 1976, these unique partnerships have empowered over 130,000 families worldwide to become homeowners.
The Habitat model took a major leap forward in 1984 when former President Jimmy Carter and wife Rosalynn joined other Habitat volunteers working at a site in New York City. This event was the first of the internationally recognized annual Jimmy Carter Work Projects (JCWP). These high-profile projects involve the "blitz building" of numerous Habitat homes in the course of one week of construction. Of course, months, even years of preparations are made prior to thousands of volunteers descending on the work site.