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The foundation was poured Monday morning for a new home being built by The Fuller Center of Housing in Oxford. Photos provided

The Oxford chapter of the Fuller Center for Housing Oxford is set to embark on two projects to celebrate two decades of providing affordable housing.

The organization, which transitioned from Habitat for Humanity in 2022, has been building and restoring homes for local families since 1987.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Fuller Center for Housing, an organization founded by Millard and Linda Fuller after their departure from Habitat for Humanity, which they also started. To commemorate this milestone, the Oxford chapter has designated its latest home construction as a “Legacy Build” in honor of the Fullers’ dedication to affordable housing.

The upcoming home, located at 2027 Brandywine Drive in the Brittany Woods subdivision, had the foundation poured on Monday. The house will be built with the support of volunteers from across the country, who will arrive in Oxford from April 13-19 for an intensive build week. By the end of that week, the house will be near completion.

The organization not only builds new homes but also repairs dilapidated homes that are on the verge of becoming unlivable. Requests for assistance are prioritized based on urgency, and the organization continues to tackle as many projects as resources allow.

“We like to think that not only are we building affordable houses, but we are also saving homes,” said Clint Williford, president of the Oxford chapter of the Fuller Center.

The new home will be awarded to a first responder in need of affordable housing. The selected recipient will meet three key criteria: financial need, willingness to contribute “sweat equity” by working on the home’s construction, and the ability to sustain a mortgage. The chosen family will receive a 30-year, zero-interest mortgage with payments lower than the average cost of a one-bedroom apartment in Oxford.

“We hope to have that family selected by the middle of February,” Williford said.

The Fuller Center for Housing operates with over 100 U.S. chapters and about two dozen international affiliates. It is primarily supported by local contributions and occasional grants from the national organization, rather than government funding.

“We know the need for housing repairs and new builds exceeds our capacity, but we do our best to contribute and make a difference,” Williford said.

Another major event for the Oxford chapter this year is the annual Fuller Center for Housing conference, scheduled for May 16-17 at Oxford University United Methodist Church. The conference is expected to bring approximately 150 volunteers and leaders from across the country and possibly from international locations.

“This is a great opportunity for publicity and name recognition,” Williford said. “It’s an exciting and positive thing for our community.”

Williford has volunteered with the Oxford chapter since 2019. A longtime faculty member in the University of Mississippi’s Department of Chemical Engineering, Williford spent 33 years in academia before retiring in 2015. Looking for a way to give back to the community, he joined the Fuller Center.

“It’s been very gratifying,” he said. “I’ve met a lot of wonderful people.”

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