habitat newsletter | summer 16 breaking ground in Sheridan 2016 has been a busy year for Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver. We’ve been building, renovating and repairing homes from Castle Rock to Montbello – and many neighborhoods in between! But we’re not stopping there… we’re excited to announce that construction is about to begin on Sheridan Square, our largest development in our 37-year history.

Located on a 4.35-acre former elementary school site in the city of Sheridan (near Federal & Hampden), our plans include the construction of 63 energy-efficient homes built over the next four years. These homes will take the collective work of more than 40,000 volunteers, and will provide stable and affordable for ap- proximately 130 adults and 225 children.

Sheridan Square will forever transform the City of Sheridan. Its 63 new homes will add 6% more owner-occupied housing units to the city, creating long-term and stable homeownership within this community. Sheridan Square will also provide roughly $77,000 in property taxes to the city each year.

This transformative community would not be possible without the generous lead funding from Wells Fargo Community Foundation, Arapahoe County Housing and Community Development Services, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Ed and Roxanne Fie Anderson. “I can honestly say that because Habitat provided letter stability; it helped me secure a future.” from our CEO

Dear Friends,

Habitat for Humanity is having a great year as we ramp up our efforts to serve more than 120 families in 2016. However, “The number of as Denver continues to top the “Best Places to Live” lists, our growing population is putting intense pressure on housing inventory. The result is record high housing prices. For low- families attending our income families, the repercussions are tragic and very present here in the city we love to call home. homeownership Over the last 10 years, housing prices have increased 91-percent in the Denver metro area, while wages have only increased 27-percent. This is unsustainable for low and application sessions middle income families who are being priced out of housing in our city. At Habitat, the number of families attending our application sessions has tripled from just one year ago. Many has tripled from just hardworking families are forced to make a tradeoff to cover their rent - including working a second or third job, cutting back on health care and healthy food, and moving to dangerous one year ago.” neighborhoods.

We know that is the key to building a foundation that allows families, neighborhoods and entire communities to thrive. Habitat builds and preserves affordable housing – which helps impact other social issues affecting low-income families. Success in school and at work, healthier lifestyles, financial stability, happiness… housing impacts all of these outcomes.

I recently heard from Leticia, who became a Habitat homeowner in 2012, about some of the changes her family has experienced since moving into their home. She shared that life is not as stressful… she doesn’t have to get overtime or a second job just to pay for housing. She can focus more on her family and they spend a lot more quality time together. Her kids are more social and are enjoying success in school. A stable, affordable home has made a dramatic difference in her family’s quality of life.

Supporters like you are the reason Leticia’s family has found stability and success. Our program is powered by the strength of our partnerships, and your generosity. Thank you for lending your financial support, your voice and your time to make a difference in our community.

Heather Lafferty “I can honestly say that because Habitat provided stability; it helped me secure a future.”

At age 16, Naiely felt like her life was spiraling out of Habitat home, the stability she had been missing control. She and her mom, Thelma, struggled to afford was finally in place, and she was able to focus on her housing in Denver, and were forced to frequently move. education. “In the first year of living in our new home, Naiely lost focus in school and her grades dropped. my GPA went from a 1.6 to a 3.7.” Thelma’s health faltered and they learned that she would have to undergo open heart surgery. “I was terrified of Naiely turned her entire high school career becoming an orphan at age 16!” Naiely shared. Then she around, secured a full ride scholarship to college, and and her mom partnered with Habitat to purchase their graduated this past May with a degree in Corporate own home, and things began to turn around. Social Responsibility. “I am proud to say that I am a first generation college graduate, not only in my Naiely has always admired her mom’s determination immediate family, but also in my extended family. I to work hard to build a better life for her family. The have laid the groundwork so that my younger cousins very first weekend Thelma was cleared by her doctor to are now EXPECTED to go to college and pursue a higher do physical activities after her heart surgery, she was education.” on-site starting her 200 hours of sweat equity to build her home.

Thelma is passionate about education, and encouraged Naiely to work hard and go to college so that she could have a brighter future. At the time, Naiely didn’t see how college was possible. “How was I supposed to go to college when we didn’t even have naiely’s a stable place to live?” Once Naiely moved into their habitat home habitat denver teams go global “You recognize that humanity is the same no matter where you are.”

Habitat’s vision is to live in a world where everyone “I love Global Village trips because although you’re has a decent place to live. While our focus is usually in a new country learning a new culture, you can always on Denver, we recognize that there is a huge need for find commonalities with local families,” shared Cambodia safe and stable housing in countries around the world. trip member, Trisha Koizumi. “Maybe it’s the food, That’s why we’ve been a longtime sponsor of Habitat’s watching local kids play, or being able to communicate global work. In fact, we were the first U.S. affiliate to without knowing the same language… you recognize financially support Habitat’s international work more that humanity is the same no matter where you are.” than three decades ago. Today, we’re proud to share that we’ve invested more than $2.6 million to help serve “It’s difficult to compare the housing need in more than 750 families globally. Nicaragua to Denver, as the poverty is so extreme,” shared Mike Criner who led the Global Village trip. One of the best ways to experience the impact of “Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the western Habitat’s work is by going on a “Global Village” trip. So hemisphere. 45% of all have dirt floors, which far this year, teams from Habitat Denver have visited contribute to a 25% mortality rate before the age of five. Nicaragua, Guatemala and Cambodia. Habitat Nicaragua typically focuses on the poorest of the poor for direct services. The partner families’ needs are so great that Habitat’s work is literally saving lives through housing and sanitation services.”

To learn more about Habitat Denver’s Global partners, visit: www.habitatmetrodenver.org/about-us/global-work/ cristina’s final mortgage payment

“My hopes and dreams have been built into this !”

Alma “Cristina” Garza is having an amazing year. For the first time in their lives, Ulises and Eddy would She’s celebrating her 20th anniversary at her job, she’s have their own bedrooms. The family was also able to engaged to be married, and she only has 3 mortgage get a dog, which is something they’d always wanted payments left before she completely owns her Habitat but could never have in their small rentals. home. The pride they have for their house is evident from the meticulous landscaping outside to the clean and well Cristina’s worked hard to reach these milestones. cared for living areas inside. “It’s always such a good She’s dedicated many years to working 6 days per week feeling walking into our house. My hopes and dreams in order to make ends meet for herself and her two sons, have been built into this house!” Ulises and Eddy. When she first learned about Habitat in the late 90’s, she and her boys were living in a cramped, Cristina credits her Habitat home as the foundation 1-bedroom apartment that wasn’t safe. Their apartment in her family’s life. She also acknowledges that hard windows were constantly wet with moisture, and the work and determination got her to where she is today. “I landlord would never fix the problem. Cristina started always told my sons that you can do anything, but you noticing that their food would go bad quickly, and a have to work hard for it.” health inspector warned her that the moisture in the air was dangerous - especially for her kids. Congratulations Cristina!

Cristina still remembers the moment that she learned she would become a Habitat homeowner. “My boys To help more families like Cristina’s have a chance to gave me a big hug and we all jumped in a circle - we build themselves a better life, please make a donation in were so happy. Finally, we were going to have a home.” support of Habitat’s homeownership programs. tiny house big impact

Hannah Golden isn’t like most high school seniors. Instead “I wanted to create something of cruising through her final semester and planning for life after graduation, Hannah spent countless hours building a that I could actually beautiful tiny house with her own two hands. “I wanted to create something that I could actually bring to life,” shared Hannah. “Getting started on construction was the most bring to life.” difficult part.”

- Hannah Golden She reached out to our ReStores in the beginning of her project and acquired many of her building materials from the stores. Over the course of a few months, Hannah built a tiny home with 90 square feet of space, two levels, and two separate rooms including a lofted bedroom. Thanks to materials from the Habitat ReStores, she finished the interior with top quality wood flooring, paint and furnishings.

Now that Hannah has graduated from high school, she’s looking towards the future – including attending the Illinois Institute of Technology in the fall. But before she leaves, Hannah wants to make sure her tiny house finds a good Visit www.habitatdenverrestore.org to learn more home. She’s generously donated it to our Littleton ReStore, about Hannah’s tiny house and other great merchandise where it will be on display and sold through a silent auction for sale at our five ReStore locations this summer. the week of August 8-13th. preserving homes through renovation

In Denver’s tight real estate market, we’re tracking housing opportunities and expanding our programs to “As it has gotten more serve even more families. One great way to accomplish this is through home renovations. challenging to find affordable

In 2016, we’re excited to officially launch our Home Renovation Program, with a goal of renovating 12 land, we have expanded homes with energy-efficient features, kitchen and bathroom upgrades, and cosmetic updates by the end the way we serve families by of the year. These renovated properties will then be sold to hardworking, low-income families with affordable Habitat mortgages. acquiring existing homes, doing

Some of the first housing units we purchased for renovations, and selling them to renovation this year are located in Castle Rock. These two condos presented another first for our organization low-income families.” – the first homes we’re able to offer in Douglas County!

“Habitat makes sense from an economic development – Heather Lafferty perspective,” shared Clark Hammelman, Former Castle Rock Town Councilmember. “As well as a good thing for people who want to be part of our community but can’t To learn more about our recent home renovations in afford the housing here.” Castle Rock, visit our blog at habitatmetrodenver.org/news/ Non-Profit Org. US Postage PAID Denver, CO Permit #1999 3245 Eliot Street Denver, CO 80211

www.habitatmetrodenver.org

every one deserves a decent place to live

” Tammie Carroll

Your financial support, your voice, and your time can make a difference for local families. Get involved today www.habitatmetrodenver.org.