Habitat Vail Valley celebrates the groundbreaking of 16 homes in Gypsum

As the noise of earth movers whirred in the background, 16 new homeowners, partners, volunteers and Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley celebrated the groundbreaking of 16 homes in Gypsum’s Stratton Flats neighborhood.

“We’re celebrating breaking ground on 16 homes in 2024 — the most we’ve ever done. It marks the end of our strategic plan, celebrating the completion of 46 homes. It’s a wonderful accomplishment to highlight and I want to thank all of you for your part in that. There are so many partners who made this happen,” John Welaj, Habitat Vail Valley’s executive director said to the crowd of nearly 75.

As the price of homes continues to spiral, more longtime locals are being forced to relocate or live in dire situations. Nancy, a new homeowner with three children, has lived in Eagle County since she was five. When her rental was sold, she moved in with her parents. The family of four shares one bedroom — far from ideal but they are in a loving environment.

“I always wondered and feared about my housing situation, especially during COVID when things really became difficult for us. My family and I lost our home and all I could think of was what would happen if we had to move,” Nancy said. “Moving is not easy, you have to leave behind friends, family, amazing jobs and an amazing community. I no longer have to fear any of these things. I am forever grateful to Habitat for Humanity.”

Home is everything. Those who have one know it, those who don’t spend an inordinate amount of time worrying about their living situation. Now more than ever we need affordable homeownership opportunities. In 2012, 838 homes sold for less than $500,000; by 2023 there were only 40 — eight of which were Habitat homes. For a family earning 80% of the area median income, $500,000 is still out of reach. With our partners, Habitat Vail Valley is a lifeline to building community and ensuring locals like Enrique, with his wife and two children, can thrive here at home.

Support Local Journalism

Donate

“Today is a very important day for my family and for each of us, a day where we begin the construction of our home,” Enrique said. “Thank you, Habitat, for making this dream come true. For my family to own a house was just a dream, something that we saw as very distant and impossible. Now, as a father, I have the peace of mind and security of knowing that my daughters will have a safe place where they can grow and live without fear of being evicted, enjoying their own space, having the satisfaction of paying a mortgage and knowing that it is our home.”

Pastor Dan Matney captured the spirit of the day, the work President Jimmy Carter launched and what Habitat Vail Valley does to this day.

“He (Carter) set a tremendous example for community service and goodwill toward all people,” Matney said. “I pray that this may be a community of kindness and friendship where the neighbors look out for each other and, where love is the cornerstone of every interaction. Oh, I’m in awe of what Habitat does. I’m just in awe.”