History of Itasca County Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity's presence in Itasca County began in 1992 when a group of people from the Community Presbyterian Church were inspired to address the housing needs of low-income individuals. This group worked to create the bylaws and articles of incorporation required of a Habitat for Humanity affiliate, and on May 1, 1993 Itasca County Habitat for Humanity officially came to be. Construction on the first Habitat home in Grand Rapids started shortly after.
ICHFH built 15 homes in Itasca County over its first ten years. ICHFH was an all-volunteer organization until 2004, when an executive director and then a project manager were hired. In total ICHFH has build 42 homes, touching the lives of 51 families locally.
In 2007 a new program, ReStore, was added to supplement ICHFH's core mission of building safe, decent, and affordable homes. By starting a ReStore, a home improvement store that sells donated household goods and building materials, the funds from ReStore could help finance more projects while also providing a way for community members to recycle. In Itasca County ReStore has diverted over 6 million pounds from the local landfill.
In 2012 the Board of Directors realized that our affiliate needed to serve more families in Itasca County. This is when our home preservation program (then known as A Brush with Kindness) started. Our home preservation program helps low-income homeowners impacted by age, disability, and/or family circumstances who struggle to maintain their homes. This is a supplement to our core building program and we use volunteers, sweat equity, and no interest loans to make repairs affordable, helping low income homeowners continue to live independently and securely in their homes.
Since ICHFH was founded we have built 48 homes and completed 18 home preservation projects. We have helped 59 families in Itasca County, improving the lives of 79 adults and 148 children.
We're proud of our past and excited to continue our work into the future. The need for housing and hope in Itasca County is still great. If you believe in helping provide affordable housing in your community; donate, shop, volunteer, get involved today!
ICHFH built 15 homes in Itasca County over its first ten years. ICHFH was an all-volunteer organization until 2004, when an executive director and then a project manager were hired. In total ICHFH has build 42 homes, touching the lives of 51 families locally.
In 2007 a new program, ReStore, was added to supplement ICHFH's core mission of building safe, decent, and affordable homes. By starting a ReStore, a home improvement store that sells donated household goods and building materials, the funds from ReStore could help finance more projects while also providing a way for community members to recycle. In Itasca County ReStore has diverted over 6 million pounds from the local landfill.
In 2012 the Board of Directors realized that our affiliate needed to serve more families in Itasca County. This is when our home preservation program (then known as A Brush with Kindness) started. Our home preservation program helps low-income homeowners impacted by age, disability, and/or family circumstances who struggle to maintain their homes. This is a supplement to our core building program and we use volunteers, sweat equity, and no interest loans to make repairs affordable, helping low income homeowners continue to live independently and securely in their homes.
Since ICHFH was founded we have built 48 homes and completed 18 home preservation projects. We have helped 59 families in Itasca County, improving the lives of 79 adults and 148 children.
We're proud of our past and excited to continue our work into the future. The need for housing and hope in Itasca County is still great. If you believe in helping provide affordable housing in your community; donate, shop, volunteer, get involved today!