Established in 2000, Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County (Habitat Santa Barbara) is a local nonprofit that helps families build and improve a place to call home. We work towards our vision by building strength, stability, and self-reliance in partnership with individuals and families in need of decent and affordable housing.
Habitat Santa Barbara’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. We recognize that systemic racism has contributed to unfair affordable housing practices. We are committed to creating a community where affordable, safe, and healthy homes are available to all and strongly condemn any form of discrimination.
We are an organization that follows the Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity protections. These protections and rights stem from the the Fair Housing Act which protects people from discrimination when they are renting or buying a home, getting a mortgage, seeking housing assistance, or engaging in other housing-related activities.We also continue to train our staff and volunteers on these protections, as well as review and improve upon our own internal practices to create an inclusive and diverse community.
Our ImpactWith the support of volunteers and donors, Habitat Santa Barbara has built 22 new homes for 84 people, 50% of which are children, as well as helped rebuild and repair more than 150 homes across Santa Barbara’s south county.
Disaster Response
In response to the January 2018 Montecito Debris Flow, Habitat Santa Barbara supported disaster recovery by mobilizing nearly 2,000 volunteers to support approximately 110 devastated homes in the area – rebuilding neighborhoods and transforming communities. Habitat Santa Barbara’s work is made possible from the generosity and dedication of donors, volunteers, and community partners.
Our Mission: Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope.
Our Vision: A world where everyone has a decent place to live.
All Are Welcome: We have an open-door policy. All who believe that everyone needs a decent, affordable place to live are welcome to help with the work, regardless of race, religion, age, gender, political views or any of the other distinctions that too often divide people. In short, Habitat welcomes volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds and also serves people in need of decent housing regardless of race or religion.
Our Team
Meet Habitat Santa Barbara’s Board and Staff Members

Lora Fisher, President
Janet Burki, Vice President
Rhys Morris, Secretary and Treasurer
Bryn Blanks
Ann Burgard
Dale Fathe-Aazam
Jan Hubbell, Executive Committee
Nancy Locke
Karen Lyons
Jon Martin
Maureen McDermut
Tracy Stouffer
Doug Wood
Honorary Board
Ed Birch
Janet Garufis
Leslie Meadowcroft-Schipper
Lynda Nahra
Rob Pearson
David Spainhour
Rob Teel
Craig Zimmerman
Finance Committee
Janet Burki – Independent Management Consultant
Levi Hayden – Damitz, Brooks, Nightingale, Turner & Morrisset
Gary Hopkins – Pacific Western Bank
Antoinette McCauley – Montecito Bank & Trust
Rhys Morris – Union Bank
Tino Munoz – American Riviera Bank
Stephanie Olson – Citizens Business Bank
Tracy Stouffer – Retired, Nuveen Asset Management
Sam Tabarra – US Bank
Family Services Committee
Kathy Bauer
Jan Hubbell
Marcy Jochim
Gloria Macias-Perez
Fran Morrow
Laurie Paule
Chris Richardson
Tracy Stouffer
Roberta Wilson
Staff
Jessica Wishan – CEO
Elizabeth Baker – Director of Development & Communications
Fiona Brennan – Director of Finance and Operations
Alexandra Hamill – Grants Manager, Interim Director of Development & Communications
Katherine Kerman – Program Manager
Danica Marter – Development Assistant
Charity Information
Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (Tax ID # 77-0518264). We rely on donations from people like you to help serve families in need of stable and affordable housing. More information can be found on Habitat Santa Barbara’s
Fiscal Year 2019 Annual Report & 2017 IRS Form 990.