Big things are building at Itasca County Habitat for Humanity's home build in Grand Rapids! Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers, partner family, and skilled subcontractors, this energy-efficient home is taking shape, and we're entering an exciting new phase of construction.

Over the past several weeks, we have made tremendous progress on the home's interior. We are putting the finishing touches on the interior framing, including completing the 3-inch wall fur-out and framing the soffits and drop ceiling areas that will house the home's heating and ventilation system.

Next week marks another important milestone as contractors begin their rough-in work, installing the home's HVAC and electrical systems. Once those installations are complete, drywall crews will begin hanging and finishing the sheetrock, bringing the home one step closer to becoming a comfortable place for a local family.
While work continues inside, we're also preparing to move outdoors. If the weather cooperates, we'll begin installing siding next week, and we'd love your help!

Volunteers Make Homeownership Possible
Every Habitat home is built through the generosity of people who are willing to give their time and talents. Whether you're an experienced builder or you've never picked up a hammer before, there's a place for you on the job site. Our staff and volunteer leaders provide the guidance you need, making volunteering a rewarding experience for everyone.

Helping install siding is a great opportunity to work alongside other community members while making a lasting impact. Every hour volunteered brings us closer to welcoming another local family into a safe, stable, and affordable home.

Be Part of Something Bigger
This home represents more than lumber and nails—it's an investment in our community and in the future of a hardworking family. Together, we're building strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable homeownership.

If you've been thinking about volunteering with Habitat, now is the perfect time to get involved. Join us on the build site, learn new skills, meet great people, and see firsthand the incredible difference a few hours of your time can make.
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To sign up to volunteer or learn more about upcoming build days, contact Itasca County Habitat for Humanity at 218-999-9001 or [email protected]. We can't wait to build with you!

At Itasca County Habitat for Humanity, we believe everyone deserves a safe, well-maintained place to call home. While many people know Habitat for the homes we build, our Home Preservation & Repair Program allows us to serve homeowners who need assistance maintaining the homes they already love.

Recently, we had the opportunity to partner with Lavette, a longtime local homeowner who lives independently and was looking for help preserving her home.

Lavette reached out to Habitat seeking assistance with several exterior maintenance projects. Her decks were overdue for staining, and the stucco exterior of her home had developed cracks and holes that needed attention to help protect the structure from further wear and tear. These may seem like small repairs, but for many older adults living alone, projects like these can become difficult or impossible to tackle without assistance.

Thanks to an incredible team effort, Habitat was able to step in and help.

Volunteers from Hope House, participants from YouthBuild, and several dedicated individual community volunteers joined forces to complete the work. Together, they prepared and stained the decks, giving them a refreshed appearance while helping extend their lifespan. The team also filled and repaired damaged areas in the home's stucco, helping protect the exterior from moisture and deterioration.

The project is a great example of what can happen when community members come together to support a neighbor in need. Every volunteer brought valuable time, skills, and energy to ensure Lavette could continue enjoying her home safely and comfortably.

For Lavette, the assistance meant more than just completed repairs. It provided peace of mind and reassurance that she is not alone. For the volunteers, it was an opportunity to make a meaningful difference right here in Itasca County.

The work may not be finished yet. Habitat is hopeful that we will be able to return at a later date to assist with repainting the home's exterior, further improving both its appearance and long-term durability.

Projects like Lavette's are at the heart of Habitat's Home Preservation & Repair Program. By helping homeowners maintain safe, healthy housing, we can preserve affordable homeownership, protect neighborhood stability, and allow residents to remain in the homes they cherish.

We are grateful to Hope House, YouthBuild, and all of the individual volunteers who helped make this project possible. Their commitment to serving others continues to strengthen our community, one home at a time.

If you or someone you know could benefit from Habitat's Home Preservation & Repair Program, or if you're interested in volunteering for future projects, we'd love to hear from you. Give us a call at 218-999-9001 or email [email protected]. Together, we can help ensure that every neighbor has a safe place to call home.

Exciting progress is underway in Calumet as Itasca County Habitat for Humanity officially begins foundation work on our 55th and 56th homes. After months of planning and preparation, these two energy-efficient, net-zero homes are starting to take shape, bringing us one step closer to welcoming two deserving families into safe, affordable homes of their own.

Every Habitat home begins with a solid foundation, and these projects are no exception. Over the coming months, volunteers, community partners, sponsors, and the future homeowners themselves will work side by side to transform these building sites into homes filled with opportunity, stability, and hope.

These homes will be built alongside two remarkable partner families whose perseverance and commitment embody the mission of Habitat for Humanity.

For Cody Broussard, homeownership represents something he has worked toward for many years. After overcoming addiction, building a successful career as a mental health specialist, and raising five children, Cody has spent more than 15 years creating a stable life for his family. Yet rising housing costs and an eviction notice left him wondering if he would have to leave Minnesota, and his children, behind.

A simple conversation with a local city clerk introduced Cody to Habitat for Humanity, opening the door to a new future.

"This experience is already changing me," Cody shared. "I've planted seeds, but I've never had roots."
Soon, Cody will help build the home where his children and grandchildren can gather, creating lasting memories in a place they can truly call home. His story is a powerful reminder that with determination and community support, new beginnings are always possible.

For Brandon and Jen, along with their daughter Harper, becoming a Habitat partner family is about much more than owning a house. It is about creating a safe, stable place where their family can grow and thrive.

Rooted in northern Minnesota, Brandon and Jen value family, hard work, and spending time outdoors. Whether fishing, camping, snowmobiling, or enjoying backyard barbecues with loved ones, they look forward to creating even more memories in a home of their own.

As they shared, Habitat represents "safe, stable living to call home" and "a new beginning—a fresh, safe, stable future as a family."
Over the coming months, they'll invest hundreds of hours of sweat equity, working alongside volunteers to help build not only their own home, but a stronger community.

These homes are made possible because of the generosity of people and organizations who believe everyone deserves a decent place to live.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) for its generous grant supporting construction of these homes. Their investment in affordable housing is helping make homeownership possible for families in our communities while strengthening the future of the Iron Range.

We also thank the volunteers, donors, sponsors, contractors, and community partners who continue to make our work possible. Every hour volunteered, every dollar donated, and every act of kindness helps move these homes from foundation to finish.

As construction progresses throughout the summer and fall, we look forward to sharing updates as these houses become homes. Together, we're not just building walls, we're building stronger families, stronger neighborhoods, and a stronger Itasca County.

Volunteers and donors are critical partners in making the dream of home ownership possible for these families. Call us at 218-999-9001 or email [email protected] to get involved.