Owning a home can feel out of reach for many families. But for nearly three decades, Habitat for Humanity of Mesa County has been flipping that story on its head — one front door at a time.

This month, the organization handed over keys to its 98th home, showing how sweat, community grit, and a little education can build more than just walls — it builds hope.

Homeownership With a Hammer in Hand

The path to getting a Habitat home isn’t a free ride. Laurel Cole, the group’s Executive Director, puts it plainly: “Most of them have helped with like every single step of the house.”

Future homeowners don’t just pick out paint colours. They roll up sleeves and swing hammers alongside volunteers. It’s not just about saving costs — it’s about learning what keeps a home standing.

One short line here: Many have never touched power tools before.

But by the time they’re done, they’ve learned skills that stick with them for life. And the investment? It goes way beyond a down payment.

Preparing Families to Be Good Neighbors

Money isn’t the only hurdle to homeownership. Habitat’s program knows this.

New homeowners spend time in community education classes. The topics might seem simple, but they matter:

• Basics of lawn care that keep the neighbourhood looking cared for

• What goes into homeowners’ insurance and why it matters

• Tips on being a good neighbor — the kind that waves, helps out, and doesn’t let fences fall apart

“We don’t want it to be a shock,” Cole explains. So they spread this learning out, making sure folks step into their new life with eyes wide open.

One woman who just finished the program joked that she learned more about gutters in three months than in her entire adult life.

How the Financing Keeps Homes Affordable

It’s no secret — housing costs keep climbing. But Habitat’s approach softens the blow.

Cole says the organization acts as the lender. They provide a 0% interest loan, making sure payments don’t gobble up more than 30% of a family’s income.

One sentence: For some, that’s the first time they can breathe financially.

A quick peek at their lending model makes the math clear:

It’s simple but powerful. Equity grows with each payment, turning rent money into a safety net.

Breaking the Cycle, Building Confidence

If you ask Cole what she loves most, it’s not just the keys changing hands.

It’s watching families step up to new challenges. Homeownership, she says, gives people courage they didn’t know they had.

One dad learned how to fix plumbing leaks on his build site — now he’s planning to take on a kitchen remodel down the road.

One-liner: That sense of “I can do this” is priceless.

Cole’s seen parents go back to school, switch careers, even run for local boards after getting settled into a safe place to live.

The Need Keeps Growing

Of course, the demand isn’t shrinking. Affordable housing remains one of the Grand Valley’s biggest headaches.

Habitat for Humanity of Mesa County has plans to keep swinging hammers — six more homes over the next year alone.

One paragraph: But they can’t do it alone.

Volunteers, donations, and partnerships with local businesses make every roof possible. Cole knows the goal is ambitious, but she’s convinced the community will rally.

And the ripple effect is clear. Families who’ve been helped often come back to volunteer, bringing cookies, coffee, and stories about how owning a home changed their whole outlook.

A Small Organization, A Big Impact

For some, 98 homes in 30 years might sound like a drop in the bucket. But for the families who now have a front porch, a yard, and a future they can plan for — it’s everything.

Cole sums it up: “Giving people the security of a home is life changing. That sense of belonging, that you own it, you care for it — it changes what you believe you’re capable of.”

That’s what Habitat’s really building — a foundation that’s much stronger than concrete.