Jaime (far right) and Habitat Metro Denver staff at a project site this year.
Building lasting legacies
A letter from our CEO
Dear Friends,
As I approach the anniversary of my first year at Habitat Metro Denver, I am humbled by the incredible work of our team and the impact of affordable homeownership on the families we serve.
I remember when my parents purchased our first home in Metro Denver in the 1960s, and what a significant milestone that was in our lives. It was a place that brought comfort, safety, stability and happiness. And what was even more impactful were the long-term possibilities that home created. The purchase of that home allowed my parents to build equity and generate savings that supported my siblings and I to go to college, which completely changed the trajectory of our lives.
These are the kinds of stories we aim to co-create as Habitat Metro Denver helps more people than ever before to become homeowners each year. Through your generous gifts, volunteerism, and steadfast support – we partnered with nearly 200 families to build, repair and renovate homes last year. Thank you!
Thank you for playing a vital role in Habitat Metro Denver’s transformative work, building strong foundations that can last for generations.
In grateful partnership,
Jaime G. Gomez, CEO
HOMEOWNER STORIES
Starting a new chapter
Colorado natives have worked hard to build stability for their kids.
For first-time homeowners Nathan and Brittany, buying a four-bedroom home with Habitat Metro Denver is a major landmark that has come after many years of hard work.
“Our children are learning it takes hard work to fulfill your goals,” shares Nathan. “Owning a home is a big deal. I feel so blessed that we can buy a house!”
Nathan, Brittany, their son, 9, and daughter, 6, have lived for five years in a two-bedroom transitional home, where the couple had already started saving money and budgeting. During the Habitat homeownership process, the couple also took classes on using credit, home insurance, home maintenance and being a good neighbor.
“Going into the program, we had no credit rating because we’ve never had a credit card. But we are really excited about this opportunity,” shares Brittany.
Habitat’s homeownership program sells homes to families with affordable, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages, helping first-time homeowners enter the market and build stability.
HOMEOWNER STORIES
New roof, same roots
After home repair with Habitat, this longtime homeowner can stay in her home safely and comfortably
Susie grew up in the Harvey Park neighborhood of Denver, and has owned her home there for over 20 years, taking pride in knowing her neighbors. After her husband passed away a few years ago, Susie noticed that her home needed critical updates but she felt the limitations of being on one income.
Through partnership with Habitat, her home received critical repairs, including a new roof, fencing, windows, doors, and skylights that increased security and added insulation. Habitat staff and volunteers also installed new railings leading up to her front door, making it easier for her – and visitors – to navigate the front steps.
“I tell people how helpful the program is, and how affordable it is to work with Habitat,” she said. “After my husband passed away, I came out of retirement to go back to work. Because of Habitat, I can maintain my home and keep it nice.”
Habitat’s Home Repair program engages Habitat staff and volunteers to make critical repairs that improve homeowners’ comfort, safety, and security. Homeowners pay a portion of the cost of repairs.
HOMEOWNER STORIES
“It’s a new start.”
This family of seven is planting seeds of stability with Habitat
When Khalid, Huma and their children left Afghanistan in 2021, they sold everything they had. But they kept three small silk carpets that they will unroll for the first time in their new Habitat for Humanity home in Aurora.
“We are saving them for our new house,” said Khalid, who worked for the U.S. as a contractor in Afghanistan, and is now a technician for a pharmacy company.
Partnering with Habitat Metro Denver is the next step in the family’s long journey to find stability and consistency. Khalid, Huma, and their kids – three boys and two girls ages four to 17 – currently live in a three-bedroom apartment. Their new Habitat home at Mountain View Community Homes in Aurora will have four bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms, a backyard, a porch and a large kitchen.
“It is a new start,” shares Khalid. “We will be thankful for all of our lives for this opportunity.”
In Metro Denver, the median sales price of a single-family home is $600,000+. Habitat homes are sold with affordable mortgages that are below market rate. This helps essential members of the workforce afford homeownership, stay in Metro Denver, and build long-term wealth and stability. Top careers for Habitat homeowners include teachers, nurses, first responders, and technicians, like Khalid.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Volunteers leave a lasting legacy of service
95,209
hours completed
16,816
volunteer shifts
Our work would not be possible without the volunteers who devote their time and skills to support our mission at our construction sites, home repair projects, ReStores, and office. Thank you to everyone who served with us this year!
Building more with ReStore
How our retail operations fund affordable homeownership
With attractive floor displays and ample room to accept donations, our ReStores make home improvement affordable and fun for our shoppers and donors – and sustainable for our community. Proceeds from our four ReStores in Denver, Littleton, Aurora and Arvada go directly to help build and repair homes. Shop or donate with the ReStores and you’re supporting affordable homeownership!
28,094
donations
28,094 donations of furniture, fixtures, flooring, and other items were made from corporate and individual donors. Thank you!
21,863
dollars rounded up
Customers rounded up purchases or donated spare change to our mission, totaling $21,863!
9,700,463
pounds
9,700,463 pounds – or 4,850 TONS – of material was diverted from landfills thanks to ReStore donations.
33,000
pounds
Our Core Volunteers in the ReStore metals recycling program helped us recycle over 33,000 lbs of precious metals, which generated $43,718 for affordable homeownership!
Thank You to Our Generous Supporters!
Habitat Metro Denver’s impact this year would not have been possible without our dedicated staff, volunteers, visionary board, and extremely generous donors. Thank you for making a positive impact!
FY24 Projects
Building communities focused on long-term impact
When building and renovating homes, Habitat Metro Denver focuses on high-quality, sustainable solutions, ensuring homes are livable, durable, and affordable for homeowners for years to come. By placing affordability covenants on Habitat homes, or placing homes in our Colorado Community Land Trust, we also ensure homes will be re-sold affordably in the future. This process keeps high-quality, affordable homes in the housing supply in Denver for decades.
Mountain View Homes Sponsor Spotlight
Arrow Electronics
Arrow Electronics is committed to making a positive difference in people’s lives through the benefits of technology, and is a valued and committed sponsor of our homeownership programs. This year, Arrow is providing generous financial and volunteer support for our Mountain View Community Homes project in Aurora. As part of Arrow’s support, they will work with their clients and suppliers to outfit all of these homes with smart home technology, such as smart security systems, smart doorbells, smart thermostats, and smart irrigation controls, all of which will help keep homes energy-efficient and safe for future homeowners.
Miller Homes Sponsor Spotlight
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo has been a committed partner to Habitat Metro Denver since 1998. In over two decades of service, they have contributed $2.1M and over 10,000 volunteer hours in support of our mission, including a $100,000 gift over the last year at Miller Homes in Wheat Ridge! Thank you, Wells Fargo, for your past contributions, current support, and future commitment to better communities through safe, affordable homes!
