Howard: There’s no place like home for the holidays
As we close out 2025, I want to share a little bit of what Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley accomplished and our plans for the next few years. One of the things I am most proud of and excited about is how we are building and retaining community.
I know a lot of our community is made up of service workers — those of you who are up before dawn getting the slopes ready, hustling at night for dinners out, working the retail stores, and driving the buses, all so our visitors have a fantastic experience. Habitat Vail Valley is doing more, so people who give so much can live here.
Vail is close to my heart because it’s the place I’ve lived for 25 years. I’ve called Intermountain home for that whole time, more time than even my childhood street. I feel a strong sense of community because my neighbors have been around as long as I have, or longer. I know that’s not the case for many in Eagle County, which is why our project at Timber Ridge has a special hold on me. We set out to build 30 homes in celebration of our 30th anniversary — by the end of 2026, these new Habitat homeowners will be settled in Vail.
Community still exists here, but sometimes you have to dig a little to find it. You have to really want it and I think that is the bond that ties us. The Timber Ridge partnership is adding people to our community; people who want to be on Town Council or volunteer at school; they will be able to take advantage of all the things this community has to offer and add to it as well.
Timber Ridge is part of the answer to the “where is everyone” feeling that can come when people earning a decent salary still cannot afford to live where they work. We were able to do things a bit differently with Timber Ridge, providing 0% financing for the new homeowners. We’re changing the building landscape, building homes so it works best in our community, and I am so excited to be part of it.
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We went to Vendatta’s the other night to celebrate a birthday. It’s where I met my husband, and it was one of my jobs when I first arrived in town. Just like so many, I worked several jobs. Back then, that worked — three jobs helped me afford a home. Now, I feel like our locals who are working as much as they can still cannot afford a home. I fear they are losing hope and will move away. We need them!
As I looked around Vendetta’s, I recognized some people from 20-plus years ago but also saw newer faces who are trying to set up their lives in Vail. It’s what I love about living in a small town, running into people — teachers, EMTs, coaches, resort workers, the people who are so crucial to every town — at the grocery, at the gym, at the coffee shop.
We are building more, too. We will build to 200 by the end of 2028. I’m so excited that Habitat Vail Valley can offer homeownership from Vail to Gypsum, including Minturn. We’ll break ground on two five-plexes in Gypsum, partnering with the school district. We’re going through the planning and zoning process in Minturn for another 30-plus homes at Maloit Park, also with the school district. Each town is unique, and our workforce deserves the opportunity to live in the place that best suits them.
This holiday season, don’t forget to take a breath and enjoy your community — and consider why you are committed to this one. Community starts with one home — join us as we work to retain our special place.
Elyse Howard is the VP of community affairs and philanthropy at Habitat Vail Valley. As a longtime local, she knows how important home is — and how hard it can be to afford one.
