Chip Carter Praises Bipartisan Spirit at Habitat Work Project and at His Father's Funeral

Chip Carter helped lead the 39th annual Habitat for Humanity Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project in October, praising his late parents for bringing people together across party lines through years of service.

Habitat work as an apolitical tradition

The Carter Work Project, begun by Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter in 1984, is a weeklong initiative focused on building, renovating and repairing homes. According to Habitat for Humanity, the project has mobilized more than 100,000 volunteers and has helped nearly 4,400 homes over the decades.

"Mom and Dad spent so much time here at Habitat," Chip Carter told Fox News Digital. "One of the reasons he really liked it is because it's totally not political. You don't know whether the man or woman using the hammer beside you is a Democrat or a Republican, and you never talk politics. I think they really enjoyed that week away from it that they got to spend every year."

Signature event highlights housing needs

Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity, called the Carter Work Project the organization's signature annual event. "Not only do we get to build homes here in Austin, which is wonderful, but it's a time to bring national attention to the huge need for affordable housing across the U.S. and the world," Reckford said. "So it's a joyful week."

Personal reflections on service and legacy

Carter described his father as unpretentious and guided by convictions rather than political ambition. He recalled the physical and emotional rhythm of build week — the soreness that fades by Friday and the joy of handing keys to new homeowners.

"When I show up on Monday, I'll get sore. When I go through by Friday, I won't be. And on Friday, we give the key away to a house. There'd be homeowners there that are just so excited that never would have had a chance for a home. I had spent a week giving of myself."

He added that the week leaves him with a deep sense of satisfaction. "On Fridays I pat myself on the back. I feel as good about me for doing this then as I do the whole rest of the year. This is one of my favorite weeks. I'll continue to come back. This time I brought my daughter and her husband so that when I get older — if Dad was here he'd say 92 would be a good age — they can take over and keep a Carter presence and carry on the legacy."

A funeral that underscored unity

Rosalynn Carter died in 2023 at age 96 and Jimmy Carter died last year at 100. Their son said the nationwide outpouring of respect during Jimmy Carter's funeral felt largely nonpolitical. The Jan. 9, 2025 service at Washington National Cathedral drew the attendance of five living presidents: Joe Biden, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump.

Chip Carter noted a widely shared moment from the service — an animated, smiling exchange between Trump and Obama — that went viral and prompted lighthearted commentary online. Reflecting on the funeral, he said it made him feel proud of the bipartisan respect shown to his parents.

"I'm sorry my father died, but the funeral was fantastic. It was, it was non-political almost, and we had a lot of Republicans saying wonderful things about my parents. They deserved that because they helped people their whole lives. It made me feel good to be an American again. It was inspiring to me and to my family, and we appreciate the outpouring of love we've received from America and across the world."

Public figures and the ongoing housing challenge

The Austin work project also drew public volunteers, including Property Brothers hosts Jonathan and Drew Scott, who served as Habitat Humanitarians. They worked alongside more than 1,000 volunteers to provide safe, sustainable, affordable housing.

Habitat for Humanity acknowledged the volunteers' contributions while noting the scale of need: the organization cited an estimated shortage of roughly 3.8 million housing units in the U.S. and warned that millions of Americans cannot afford their homes.

Habitat for Humanity summarized the event this way: "The 39th annual Carter Work Project is more than a homebuilding event — it's a living legacy of service inspired by the Carters' vision for a more compassionate, united America."