Letter: The housing crisis in Eagle County
Did you know some people in Vail Valley are sleeping in their cars, and many can’t afford a home? In fact, one in seven families in the valley doesn’t have the stability affordable housing can provide, according to Habitat for Humanity. Housing prices keep rising, with the median home listing price and the median home sold price in Eagle County ranging from $758,400 to $1.2 million in 2024, according to Realtor.com. That’s a lot of money!
People should support Habitat for Humanity to help. In 2022, only 98 homes sold for less than $500,000, and eight of those were built by Habitat for Humanity. Some may think it’s not their problem, but teachers, police officers, firefighters, bus drivers, and grocery workers also need affordable housing.
It’s important to know that Habitat for Humanity isn’t a free handout. Families who receive a home actually buy it, with a mortgage that doesn’t charge interest and Habitat for Humanity does not make a profit on the sale of the house. The mortgage is less than 30% of their income. The family must also volunteer their time to help build their own home. Habitat works with volunteers and partners to make this possible, and once a house is built, there’s a celebration for the family.
This year, Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley is turning 30! In those 30 years, they’ve built 146 homes in Eagle County. To celebrate, they’re hosting the Carpenter’s Ball on March 8 at 6 p.m. at The Hythe in Vail. The funds raised will help build 30 new homes this year, and they’re planning to build 200 homes by 2029.
Habitat for Humanity is doing great things to help local families, and we can all support them, too!
Support Local Journalism
Hannah Clancy
Brush Creek Elementary fifth grade
