Jimmy Carter’s Famed Habitat for Humanity's Project Began on the Lower East Side

Most passersby would hardly notice 742 East 6th Street, a six-story brick building just off Avenue D. But in 1984, the structure became the unlikely centerpiece of Habitat for Humanity’s first project in New York City, thanks to the efforts of former President Jimmy Carter.

The building, once uninhabitable and filled with debris, was transformed by volunteers led by Habitat for Humanity with Carter himself taking an active role in the restoration. Carter’s hands-on involvement brought national attention to the project and left a legacy of service that continues to inspire.

“When I got there, I saw a terrible six-story building,” Carter recounted. “It was filled with debris. Eventually, we got 42 people that went up on Trailways bus and had one of the most remarkable experiences of our life.”

This project marked the beginning of what would become a lifelong commitment for Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, to building homes for those in need through Habitat for Humanity.

By 1984, Carter had been out of office for several years but had already dedicated himself to humanitarian work. He volunteered to lead Habitat for Humanity’s debut project in New York, a neighborhood that, at the time, faced significant challenges. The Lower East Side had the city’s highest murder rate, and the decaying structure at 742 East 6th Street reflected the area’s struggles.

Rob DeRocker, the project’s executive director, recalled how Carter’s involvement surprised even the press.

“The press thought he was going to come, take a few ceremonial hammer swings, and then leave the rest of the work to the volunteers that he had brought up from Georgia,” DeRocker said. “Nothing could be further from the truth. He was the first one on the job. And they had to get him to knock off the job at the end of each day.”

Carter spent ten days working tirelessly alongside volunteers, with Secret Service agents stationed around the site for security. His dedication to the project, from clearing debris to hammering nails, set a precedent for the many Habitat for Humanity projects he would go on to support worldwide.

Carter’s work on East 6th Street not only rehabilitated a building but also elevated Habitat for Humanity as an organization. The project drew national attention and established the not-for-profit as a leader in providing affordable housing.

Years later, Carter returned to the East 6th Street building for a reception. Despite his advancing age, his commitment to the cause remained unwavering.

“That time he came, I think he must have been 90, and he was ready to go out to Queens to build a house after we did the reception and the press conference,” said a resident who attended the event.

Carter’s dedication to helping others exemplified his post-presidential years, during which he and Rosalynn helped construct homes for families in need across the globe.

The transformation of 742 East 6th Street stands as a testament to Carter’s belief in the power of collective action and his commitment to uplifting communities. From that single project in the Lower East Side to building homes worldwide, Carter’s work with Habitat for Humanity became a defining feature of his post-presidential legacy.

Carter died this week at the age of 100.