Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley breaks ground on eight more homes 

Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley, for the first time in its 27-year history, is building at two job sites concurrently. With permits received in July from the Town of Gypsum, eight homes are under construction in the Stratton Flats neighborhood in addition to the 16 started earlier this summer in Eagle. The 24 homes under way this year are part of Habitat Vail Valley’s doubling Impact campaign  

From 2012 to 2022, Habitat Vail Valley has built 48 homes in the Stratton Flats neighborhood. At full build out, Habitat will have built 76 homes at this site. That’s 76 families who will be able to plant roots and thrive in Eagle County. The eight families who will move into these homes in early 2024 are helping build their homes and will buy them upon completion. 

“We’re excited to get moving with these additional eight homes. We are on track, working to build homes in partnership with locals,” says Doug Amberg, director of construction. “In large part because of our volunteers and partners who donate time and materials, more locals will have strong foundations.” 

Between 2022 and 2024, Habitat will double the number of homes it will build — 46 in three years. This aspirational plan came together as Habitat was asked with more frequency: What happens to a community when teachers, police officers, grocery store workers, resort employees, firefighters — the backbone of our towns — can no longer afford to live where they work? Habitat didn’t wait to know.  

Habitat knows a home is life changing. With skyrocketing home prices, the housing crisis has deepened. The number of affordable housing units has not kept up with the population growth; salaries have not kept up with the increasing cost of homes.  

“We are excited that we are able to double our building impact. Now, more than ever, locals deserve the opportunity to build their lives here in Eagle County,” says Elyse Howard, Habitat director of development. “Through this campaign and with the support of many donors and stakeholders Habitat Vail Valley is making an $18M investment to increase local affordable for-sale housing stock.” 

Habitat Vail Valley helps hardworking locals build community through affordable homeownership. Habitat homeowners work alongside staff, volunteers and each other to build their homes and neighborhoods. They then purchase the home, paying an affordable mortgage that is no more than 30% of their gross income.  

Volunteers are key to helping keep building costs down. Individuals and groups are once again welcome on the jobsite. As part of its strong partnership with Vail Resorts, Habitat will host an entire week where Vail Resorts’ employees sweat alongside homeowners.  

Over the years Habitat Vail Valley has increased the number of families it works with — first building one home per year, then four, eight and now in 2023, 24. Habitat Vail Valley broke ground on a 16-home development on Third Street in Eagle in June.  

“A home is everything. It provides stability, increases positive educational outcomes and helps with physical and mental health,” Elyse adds. 

Other key supporters of the Stratton Flats’ development are GPS Designs/ Greg Sparhawk who donated his architectural expertise; Landon Anderson of Anderson Structural Engineering and Justin Yarnell of Yarnell Consulting & Civil Design. They have worked with us for many years and donate much, if not all, of their time for the project.  

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Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley has worked to build community in Eagle County since 1995. As housing prices continue to escalate the affordability gap for our workforce continues to grow, Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley is committed to advocating and building. In 2022, the 100th Habitat family purchased their home. Now 159 adults and 305 children have a safe and stable home. Learn more and sign up to volunteer at www.habitatvailvalley.org.