The Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project, Habitat for Humanity's flagship annual build event, is returning to Atlanta for the first time in nearly four decades. WABE reported the 2026 project will bring hundreds of volunteers to build homes in Atlanta neighborhoods, honoring President Carter's legacy months after his death in December 2025.
President Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter led the annual build event every year from 1984 until health prevented their participation. The builds have constructed or repaired more than 4,400 homes in 14 countries. Atlanta hosted the project in 1988, building homes in the city where Habitat for Humanity International is headquartered, but the event has since rotated to communities across the United States and around the world.
The 2026 return to Atlanta carries added weight following President Carter's death at 100 and Rosalynn Carter's death in November 2023. Habitat officials said the build will focus on neighborhoods aligned with Carter's commitment to addressing housing inequality, though specific locations have not been announced.
Volunteer registration for the build is expected to open in the coming weeks. Past Carter Work Projects have drawn thousands of participants, from professional construction workers to first-time volunteers, working alongside each other to frame walls and install siding. The event traditionally culminates in a dedication ceremony where new homeowners receive their keys.
