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Habitat for Humanity By Hunter Harrell More adults are trying to pursue home ownership now than in the previous decade. In the past five years, aging millennials have contributed to the steady growth of the housing market nationwide. Last year in La Plata and Montezuma counties, the number of properties sold increased by about 25%. However, high housing costs still prevent many families from fulfilling the American Dream here in the Southwest. At the onset of the pandemic, housing demand was increasing and the market seemed steady. But the uncertainty caused many potential sellers to avoid placing their homes on the market. This combination of high demand and limited supply influenced the rapid rise of home prices, according to the 2021 State of the Nation’s Housing by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. While the issue of affordable housing continues to affect our communities, local businesses and organizations are working in tandem to address different factors that contribute to the problem. Habitat for Humanity of La Plata County is a local chapter of a national nonprofit organization that focuses on reducing some of the barriers of homeownership for families in the Four Corners.
Education & Equity
Through community engagement, local partnerships and help from volunteers, the organization builds affordable housing for individuals and families in need. By hosting monthly Question and Answer sessions
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where participants can learn more about the home ownership program, the organization introduces more people to the possibilities that come with owning a home. Habitat for Humanity board member Tami Joslin said that through education and outreach, she hopes that more families can see the benefits of owning their own home, such as financial stability and building equity. “Whether they take the step to move forward or not, they at least are educated in terms of how getting a mortgage works and what it might mean for a family,” Joslin said. “I hope that they see the value in owning an asset. They are actually investing their money instead of giving it to a landlord.”
Home Ownership Program
In addition to building equity, the Home Ownership Program reduces mortgage payments to 30% of their gross monthly income. Rather than rising like rental costs, homeowners achieve more financial stability through lower mortgage payments. A committee reviews applications from those individuals and families in need based on three factors: their ability to pay, their need for housing and their willingness to partner with the organization by contributing to the build. Habitat for Humanity builds two homes each year in La Plata County. They also renovate a few existing properties to establish affordable housing options for more families in the county. Volunteer labor is how the organization keeps the cost of the builds lower. But, over the last 18 months, finding volunteers has
Four Corners Real Estate Guide
been more difficult. “It’s really about labor – volunteer labor,” Joslin said. “Getting volunteers who can commit to one or two days a week is a challenge.” If the volunteer capacity grows, the organization sees potential for more build projects in the future. As a seasoned volunteer, Joslin said that her favorite part is the camaraderie on the job. She added that seeing the project through from planning to completion is a rewarding experience. “We have a very dedicated group, and we have a wonderful executive director that understands what’s going on in the market and construction management,”Joslin said. “We are really thinking forward about working with the city and the county with this whole affordable housing thing that’s going on in our community.” For more information about Habitat for Humanity projects and volunteer opportunities, visit the organization’s website at www. habitatlaplata.org.
