Column | Howard: I’m not crying, you’re crying
Elyse Howard Follow
Courtesy photo
As a general rule, I don’t cry at work. Last week was an exception — a lot of the Habitat team sat around our conference room table, listening intently on the phone trying to hold back our tears. But that Monday was a special day and probably one of the best parts of our jobs.
The Homeowner Services team had the awesome job of calling the applicants who were selected to help build and then buy their Habitat homes. These are life-changing phone calls to long-time locals — some have applied and worked towards a home for years. One future homeowner’s response to being selected to purchase a home in Eagle County was pure amazement, “So you are telling me I get to stay here?! I get to stay in Eagle County for a long time!”
Helping our workforce become homeowners is exciting in its own right (obviously). But I’m also thrilled that we’re building from Gypsum to Vail, strengthening the valley and building community. For the first time, future Habitat homeowners can choose if they want to put down roots up valley in Vail or down valley in Gypsum.
The valley-wide homeownership opportunities have been 30 years and many collaborations in the making. The town of Vail is an incredible partner in Vail. The most recent good news is that Habitat will offer five 4-bedroom units for homeowners, helping bring vibrancy to town. This is in addition to 30 units at Timber Ridge — nine Habitat homeowners have moved in and the rest will move in before the end of the year.
What’s exciting about these four-bedroom units is that the income limit has increased to 100% AMI – up to $133,200 for a family of four, helping “the missing middle” pay an affordable mortgage and build our community.
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Looking west, we’ve broken ground on IK Bar in Gypsum, another partnership with Eagle County School District. Over the years we realized many Habitat homeowners work at ECSD. ECSD has land and needs a workforce that can afford to live here. Habitat has the know-how to build homes within a set budget.
The district’s housing master plan set the stage for educators and support staff to be able to buy a home, settle down and grow in their careers. We love being part of this intentional growth.
This project is exciting for us too as we’re bringing a different type of home to market. We are building, in partnership with homeowners, volunteers and partners, two five-plexes with ten future homeowners. It’s our third project where Eagle County School District donated the land that we build on, allowing more than 34 families to find housing stability. Together, we’re working to ensure a vibrant community.
More than ever, we are one valley, one community working together to help create an Eagle County where together we thrive. Our revamped application process is less cumbersome and every applicant speaks to a member of the Habitat team. The demand for affordable homeownership astounds us, we receive multiple applications daily for the next homes we’re building.
Elyse Howard is the vice president of community affairs and philanthropy, where she helps build community. As part of Habitat Vail Valley’s four-year strategic plan, we are well on our way to Building to 200, with affordable housing opportunities from Gypsum to Vail. Learn more.
