Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley

Habitat Vail Valley partners with local families in Eagle County to build a place they call home. Habitat homeowners help build their homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. A Habitat home is a stabilizing force for health, financial flexibility and childhood development.

Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley was founded by a few community members in 1995, and the work we’re doing today shows just what a small group of passionate individuals can accomplish.  At the start, volunteers, board members and staff built one home per year. That number increased to four, six, and eight per year. Between 2022 and 2024, Habitat built 46 homeownership opportunities. It is not enough: Affordable homeownership has always been an issue in Eagle County, but nothing like it is today.  

As we work to retain our workforce and the very fabric of our community, Habitat is committed to building faster, stronger, together. We built 100 homes in the first 26 years and will build the second 100 in seven years. By the end of 2028, we will complete 64 homes, helping 200 families build and buy their Habitat home.  

“We are closing the gap so someone who earns the median income can afford to buy a home in Eagle County,” says Elyse Howard, vice president of community affairs and philanthropy, says. “We meet people who are trying to buy a home, longtime locals who are committed to our community who are close to moving away. There is a sense of hopelessness when they decide to move. We’re working to ensure our critical workforce can put down roots in our community.” 

The median non-resort home price in Eagle County is $1,055,000. This is unaffordable for households making below 230% of their area median income (AMI) (almost $300,000). In some communities, the median non-resort home requires an income of 330% AMI, or more than $400,000. 

When those critical members of our community — teachers, firefighters, law enforcement officers, social workers — earn the median income of $52,900, how can they to buy a home and establish roots? They can’t, and we as a community lose out.  

Habitat Vail Valley helps ensure the community reaps the benefits of hardworking locals’ enthusiasm and knowledge. It’s for, and with our critical workforce, that Habitat partners to build homes with people earning under 80% of the AMI. We believe that a home is more than shelter — it’s opportunity, stability and hope. By partnering with hardworking locals, Habitat helps ensure Eagle County doesn’t just remain a place where people want to live — but one where they can live. 

Testimonials

"Each Saturday building homes for Habitat became the highlight in my life. The volunteers and staff became my team. Instead of fulfilling 250 sweat equity hours, I fulfilled 2000 hours. There were many days of blue fingernails from hammers and snow storms, but I learned that with patience and determination dreams come true."

- Liz, Habitat Vail Valley homeowner