Helping Build Homes, Communities, and Hope for 30 Years

On a blustery winter morning, Lula stood outside her RV, wanting to feel hopeful for the future. Instead dread and hopelessness pounded in her head and consumed her heart. She and her sons moved from a mobile home they shared with another family — it was crowded with no privacy. The small family moved into the RV she had purchased. She did her best to treat living in an RV as family adventure to maintain her and her son’s spirits high.

She pictured a cozy, welcoming space, hoping it would feel like home. Instead, her once-thriving son was embarrassed to bring friends home — he curled into himself with sadness that spiraled towards depression.

For the first time Lula thought building a life in Eagle County wasn’t for her — she worked two jobs and still couldn’t afford a home. She thought it was time to move: to leave her community and support system; to leave the only place her children had called home; to leave her job with Head Start, where she connects mothers, helping them find support and belonging.

If Lula left, it would have meant losing someone essential in our community. Instead, Lula applied to Habitat Vail Valley and was selected for homeownership. Now, Lula continues raising her family here and giving back to the community she loves.

“Being a Habitat homeowner has changed our lives,” Lula shared. “Habitat has given us hope, peace of mind, and the privilege to buy a home. I’m not in survival mode anymore — the stress and anxiety that come with an unstable place to live are gone.”  

Habitat Vail Valley is committed to helping more people achieve the stability that comes with homeownership.

Over the past 30 years, Habitat Vail Valley has built 146 homes, helping 529 people on their journey to homeownership. From 2025 to 2028, Habitat Vail Valley plans to exceed the 200-home mark three ways: traditional site built, modular construction and originating zero-interest mortgages through partnerships with local government and for-profit developers.

As we celebrate 30 years, we’ve embarked on one of our most ambitious Strategic Plans yet — Building to 200: Faster. Stronger. Together. As housing challenges intensify, safe and affordable housing remains out of reach for many of the people who keep our community running — teachers, law enforcement officers, medical staff, service industry workers, and so many others. Every year, hundreds of people apply to help build and buy a Habitat home so they can thrive in our community.

We’re accelerating our work so more of Eagle County’s workforce can thrive right here at home. It’s with, and for our critical workforce, that Habitat partners to build homes with people earning up to 80% AMI. We believe that a home is more than shelter — it’s opportunity, stability and hope. Together, we can build homes, community and hope.

How can you help? Volunteer. Volunteers help us keep costs down as we build homes. Shop. The ReStore, located in Gypsum, keeps tons of quality, usable items out of the landfill every year. You can get a great deal on furniture and more. Donate. Every dollar helps us build more homes. Apply. If you are a local in need of affordable housing, email us.