Charles “Chip” and Candy Brannon, are the partner family for Itasca County Habitat for Humanity’s 53rd home. Their journey to homeownership has been shaped by resilience, faith, and an unwavering commitment to family.
Chip was born in Sacramento, California, and experienced profound loss early in life, including the death of two sisters and the destruction of his childhood home by fire. His family later relocated to Minnesota, where frequent moves and health challenges, including a serious head injury and seizures, led him down many paths, from years in construction to a decade backpacking across the country. In 2013, Chip returned home to care for his mother for nearly nine years. For Chip, this Habitat home represents something he has never had before: a safe, stable place to finally call his own.

Candy’s story is one of determination and heart. She grew up in Eden Prairie and Crosby, Minnesota, working from a young age on farms, at a turkey facility, and in a local pizza shop while attending school. At just 14, she enrolled in vocational school to become a certified nursing assistant, and by 15 she was already a mother. Candy later moved to Wadena to raise her family, and today she and Chip are proud parents of four adult children and delighted grandparents, soon welcoming their fourth grandchild. After moving closer to family in northern Minnesota, Chip and Candy began attending Triumphant Life Church in Bovey, deepening their sense of community and connection.

Together, Chip and Candy have been in recovery for more than eight years and recently quit smoking, milestones they credit to hard work, faith, and perseverance. Their new Habitat home in Marble will mean stability, accessibility, and a welcoming place to gather with loved ones, including their two cherished dogs, Chloe and Whiskey, who will finally have a yard to play in.

“This is a dream come true,” they shared. “It’s a blessing beyond words.”

Chip and Candy are grateful for the opportunity to build a future rooted in safety, love, and community, and they look forward to celebrating alongside family, friends, and their church as they turn the key to their forever home.

​You can help make Chip and Candy’s dream a reality through volunteering or a financial donation. Visit www.itascahabitat.org to learn how you can make an impact. 

The need for affordable housing in Itasca County continues to grow, and recent data confirms what many local families experience every day. According to the 2026 county housing profile released by the Minnesota Housing Partnership, more than one in four households in Itasca County, 27%, are cost burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing. The impact is even more severe for renters: 58% of renter households are cost burdened, and nearly one-third are severely cost burdened, spending over half their income just to keep a roof overhead. These pressures leave families with fewer resources for food, healthcare, transportation, and savings, increasing instability across the community.

Housing costs have risen faster than incomes, particularly for renters. From 2019 to 2024, median rent in Itasca County increased to nearly $1,000 per month, while renter incomes lagged behind. At the same time, more than 36% of homes in the county were built before 1970, creating a growing need for reinvestment and repair in aging housing stock. The data also highlights persistent inequities, with homeownership rates for white households remaining higher than those of Black, Indigenous, and other households of color, underscoring that access to stable housing is not evenly shared across the community.

For nearly 35 years, Itasca County Habitat for Humanity has worked alongside local partners to address these challenges by creating safe, stable, and affordable homeownership opportunities. Since its founding, Itasca Habitat has partnered with families and volunteers to build 52 homes, each one providing not just shelter, but long-term stability and the chance to build equity and security. Habitat homes are affordable by design, with mortgage payments set so families spend no more than 30% of their income on housing, helping prevent the cost burdens reflected in today’s housing data.

In response to the growing need, Itasca Habitat is expanding its impact by building three homes in 2026. This milestone reflects both the urgency of the housing crisis and our commitment to meeting it through collaboration and innovation. Volunteers, donors, and partner families work side by side, raising walls, installing flooring, and investing “sweat equity” that transforms each home into a shared community achievement.

Affordable housing is also an investment in Itasca County’s future. Habitat homes allow working families to remain in the communities where they are employed, where their children attend school, and where support networks already exist. By strengthening housing stability, Habitat helps ensure that local employers can retain workers, seniors can age safely in place, and the next generation can continue to call Itasca County home.

The data is clear: housing affordability remains out of reach for too many of our neighbors. But the solution is equally clear, continued investment, strong partnerships, and community-driven action make a real difference. As Itasca County Habitat for Humanity looks ahead to building more homes and serving more families, we invite the community to be part of the solution. Through volunteering, donating, and advocating for affordable housing, together we can help ensure safe, stable homes are available for all who need them.
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Visit www.itascahabitat.org to get involved.

In celebration of Earth Day on April 22, Itasca County Habitat for Humanity and Itasca County Environmental Services invite the community to take part in a Spring Clean Up & ReStore Donation Drive, paired with a festive Earth Day celebration lunch at the local ReStore.

Spring is the perfect time to refresh your home and make a positive impact. As residents clean out garages, basements, and closets, this community-wide effort encourages donating gently used furniture, appliances, building materials, and home goods rather than sending them to the landfill. Donations support Habitat’s affordable housing work while promoting environmental sustainability.

To thank the community for supporting these efforts, Habitat will host an Earth Day Celebration Lunch at the Itasca ReStore on April 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Community members are invited to stop by and enjoy a free hot dog, chips, cookie, and drink while learning more about how ReStore donations help reduce waste and build homes in Itasca County.

Event Details:
What: Earth Day Spring Clean Up, ReStore Donation Drive & Celebration Lunch
When: April 22
• Donation Drive: Ongoing during spring clean-up season
• Celebration Lunch: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: Itasca ReStore and participating clean-up sites across Itasca County

“Earth Day is about caring for our planet and our neighbors,” said Jamie Mjolsness, Executive Director, Itasca County Habitat for Humanity. “By donating usable items, residents help keep valuable materials out of landfills and support affordable housing right here in our community — and we’re excited to celebrate that impact together with a simple thank-you lunch.”

This initiative builds on an ongoing partnership between Habitat and Itasca County Environmental Services, which includes ReStore donation containers placed at sites such as Bray Lake Canister Site and the transfer station on E. Bass Lake Road. Together, these efforts have diverted millions of pounds of reusable materials from the waste stream.

Canister locations:

• Cohasset: 29959 E. Bass Lake Road
• Danson: 16627 County Road 484, Nashwauk
• Bray Lake: 20075 County Road 56, Nashwauk
• Sago: 14532 County Road 476, Warba

Why Participate:

• Reduce landfill waste and protect the environment
• Support affordable housing for local families
• Give gently used items a second life
• Celebrate Earth Day with neighbors and a free lunch

For details on accepted donation items or how to get involved, visit www.itascahabitat.org or stop by the Itasca ReStore during the Earth Day celebration.