start with a home
Annual Impact Report 2026
A letter from our CEO
Dreams start with a home
I ran into Habitat homeowners Sarah and Manuel at their daughter’s high school graduation, seven years after they purchased their Habitat home. Seeing their pride and joy as she crossed the stage reminded me of a truth we see every day at Habitat Metro Denver: dreams start with a home.
Today, homeownership is out of reach for many families across Metro Denver. Rising housing costs continue to challenge hardworking households and place tremendous strain on our communities. Despite the challenging environment, there is reason for hope because Habitat Metro Denver and its myriad partners are positioned and equipped to meet that challenge.
We are excited to share this report with you – a true testament to our mission and values in action. The housing affordability crisis remains, but the Habitat community is doing something about it – day by day, shoulder-to-shoulder, brick by brick.
It all starts with a home.
With gratitude and partnership,
Jaime G. Gomez, CEO
starts with a home
Impact this year
Together, we build impact
Strong communities are built through the everyday ripple effects of stable housing—and it all starts with a home.
Because of you, 127 households experienced stability & opportunity through affordable homeownership and preservation this year!
New homeownership opportunities
Preserving homeownership
starts with a home
Homeowner story
A new chapter
For years, Yonas and his family lived in a small one-bedroom apartment in Denver that became increasingly crowded and unsuitable for family life. Rising rents and limited space made homeownership seem not just far-off, but unattainable.
Everything changed during a visit to the library, where Yonas met a Realtor who encouraged him to explore Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver’s homeownership program. He submitted an application the same day. Habitat’s Mountain View Community Homes development in Aurora was located near their jobs and extended family – just the foundation they had been searching for.
Today, the family has a place to call home—one that provides the space, stability, and affordability they need. Their three kids have room to read and play now, and room to study and spread out as they grow. Most importantly, the family feels the renewed stability that comes with affordable homeownership.
“We are so happy here, there is no comparison,” Yonas said. “We finally have space and stability.”
Video
Hear Yonas describe his family’s journey to homeownership
Homeowner story
Ten years at home
Ten years ago, Shevieve, or “Shevy,” and her daughter, Krimzin, moved into their Habitat home in Sheridan, south of Denver. For Shevy, homeownership ended years of uncertainty about lease renewals and rising rents and replaced it with something life-changing: stability.
With a consistent, affordable housing payment, Shevy was able to focus on building her career, strengthening community connections, and planning for the future with confidence. Financial coaching through Habitat helped her learn budgeting, saving, and long-term financial planning.
“That was eye-opening,” Shevy said. “Everyone can benefit from financial education, especially women, to feel ownership of finances and know how to manage and steward them.”
Homeownership also shaped Krimzin’s future. Living in a stable home helped her gain independence, from walking to school on her own to navigating public transportation and managing her schedule.
“Habitat has blessed me so much. My housing expenses are consistent, and I’m putting savings away for when Krimzin goes to college,” Shevy said.
Shevy and Krimzin at closing in 2016
starts with a home
Home Preservation Stories
For older adults, home repairs are costly – but partnership leads to preservation
Rising property taxes, insurance, utility costs, and home maintenance expenses are making it increasingly difficult for longtime homeowners on fixed incomes to remain in their homes. The average cost of owning and maintaining a home in Colorado now exceeds $25,000 annually—excluding mortgage payments—and nearly 28% of US homeowners age 65 and older are considered cost-burdened.1 Home repairs alone average nearly $13,000 annually in Colorado2, creating significant barriers for older adults who want to age in place.*
Habitat Metro Denver’s Home Preservation programs help address these challenges by partnering with homeowners to remain safe, healthy, and independent in the communities they love.
Carmen’s Story
Carmen had spent decades caring for the home where she raised her family. Over time, deteriorating windows and doors, a failing roof, and poor insulation left her worried about her safety and comfort. Through Habitat’s Home Repair program, critical repairs restored stability to her home while helping reduce utility costs.For Carmen, home repairs restored security and safety
Phyllis’ Story
For Phyllis, a serious fall made navigating her home feel frightening and uncertain. Through the CAPABLE program (Community Aging in Place—Advancing Better Lives for Elders), healthcare professionals assessed her needs and Habitat installed accessibility and safety improvements in her home – including handrails, grab bars, and other modifications that reduce fall risks. The changes helped her regain confidence and continue living independently in the home she has loved for years.
Their stories illustrate the power of home preservation. Whether providing critical repairs or accessibility improvements, Habitat helps older adults stay safely in their homes, preserve their independence, and maintain stability in their chosen place.
Video
See Phyllis describe how the CAPABLE program brought her comfort and stability at a critical time
starts with a home
2026 project highlights
See where we built together this year
Building community
Augustana Homes, Denver
These eight homes in Denver’s Washington Virginia Vale neighborhood are a beautiful example of affordable homes built to suit neighborhood context. Inspired by the area’s mid-century architecture, we built spacious three- and four-bedroom duplexes that will remain affordable long-term thanks to a land lease from Augustana Lutheran Church. We celebrated all eight households’ home closings this year.
Expanding opportunity
Villa Park Homes, Denver
This year, we continued our investment in Denver’s Villa Park neighborhood, breaking ground on six additional affordable homes near Dry Gulch Park, the Lakewood Gulch trail, and the RTD W line. These homes will provide more households with the opportunity to put down roots in a thriving, transit-connected community close to work, school, and recreation.
Opening doors
Griffith Station Homes
This year, we celebrated the groundbreaking of Griffith Station, a new community of 20 affordable homes in Arvada. Featuring energy-efficient three- and four-bedroom townhomes near parks, trails, transit, and Olde Town Arvada, Griffith Station will create pathways to affordable homeownership while helping more households stay connected to opportunity.
starts with a home
Volunteer impact
The power of our volunteer network
At Habitat Metro Denver, we celebrate the positive ripple effects that happen when people come together to build —and volunteers are at the heart of that work.
Your partnership strengthened and expanded access to affordable homeownership for more households this year.
All volunteers
Core volunteers
Hearing from our volunteers!
Why is it important to volunteer?
"Volunteering gives us an opportunity to use our time, experience, and abilities to improve the lives of others. It strengthens communities by bringing people together around a shared purpose and reminds us that meaningful change is often accomplished through many individuals making practical contributions. Personally, I've had volunteering in my blood for most of my adult life.”
Why is it important to volunteer?
“I like being a volunteer at Habitat Metro Denver because it allows me to do something for our community. So many people come to our ReStore looking for bargains of course, but also wanting to donate to our cause. The money we make is important to build homes for people who might never own their own home."
What brought you to Habitat?
““Buying my home taught me just how difficult homeownership has become, and how financially fragile homeownership can be. That experience, along with seeing families crowded into studio apartments or even living out of their cars, opened my eyes to the housing challenges facing so many families. It drew me to Habitat because I wanted to help create more opportunities for families to achieve safe, affordable homeownership and the stability that comes with it.”
What brought you to Habitat?
“I came to Habitat Metro Denver as part of a big community outreach event over 7 years ago. That's all it took for me to get hooked into the program. I do various volunteer projects every week, but Habitat is the one that keeps me returning.”
What is your favorite part about being a Core Volunteer?
“I didn't always think construction was something I was good at and never imagined I’d become a crew leader on a build site. Habitat's patient and encouraging staff changed that by helping me build confidence alongside new skills. Now, as a Core Construction Crew Leader, I love helping newer volunteers discover that same confidence. If someone leaves a build feeling more capable than when they arrived, that's a great day.”
What is your favorite part about being a Core Volunteer?
“My favorite part of being a Core volunteer is the people. The staff, daily volunteers, and other Core volunteers are great people. I have learned so much from them.”
start with a home
Volunteer impact
Celebrating 32 years of service
Cliff’s Story
Over more than three decades of service, Cliff Fales became a cornerstone of Habitat Metro Denver, volunteering his time as an IT guru, software engineer, data entry volunteer, and trusted problem solver. This year, when Cliff celebrated his retirement as a Core Volunteer, we honored his service.
Cliff shares that friendship, collaboration, and the power of home are what kept him engaged with Habitat’s mission for more than three decades. At Cliff’s retirement party we were honored to celebrate his years of service with his family and many Habitat staff who worked with him over three decades.
Thank you, Cliff, for reminding us that every act of service has an infinite ripple effect of impact.
Video
Shortly after his retirement party, Cliff won Channel 7’s Everyday Hero award for his service with Habitat. Click to see the celebration!
Volunteer impact
Building skills. Creating impact.
Specialized volunteer opportunities create meaningful impact and professional growth
Electrical volunteers
…gain hands-on experience in a skilled trade, which can culminate in professional stepping stones. This year, two Core Volunteers leveraged their experience from the program to obtain additional licensure, becoming a Residential Wireman and Apprentice Electrician. The electrical volunteer team began as an all-volunteer crew, but is now led by a Master Electrician and Apprentice, who work alongside fourteen Core Volunteers.
Metal recycling volunteers
…also build skills while supporting Habitat’s mission in a unique way. At each of Habitat Metro Denver’s four ReStores, volunteers carefully separate metal from donated items, sorting the materials for recycling and helping generate funding.
Fifteen Core Volunteers specialize in metal recycling, running every aspect of the program. They train new volunteers and take apart donated products, sorting them for the recycling center. Payment is then given for copper and other valuable metals. Two Core Volunteers even took the time to assemble a training guide to share best practices and guidelines for new volunteers.
Video
Watch a Core Volunteer describe the metals recycling process and its impact!
spotlight
Habitat ReStores
Products with the power to give back
Every donation, purchase, and volunteer effort with the Habitat ReStores expands access to affordable homeownership while keeping reusable materials out of local landfills.
Thank you to all of our ReStore donors, shoppers, and supporters for helping build stronger communities!
Our ReStores impact this year included:
- $868,209 generated in total profits to support Habitat’s affordable homeownership programs.
- More than 25,000 donations of furniture, fixtures, flooring, appliances, and other home improvement items collected across all four ReStore locations.
- More than 3,000 residential and business pickups completed by ReStore trucks.
- 10 million pounds of material were diverted from local landfills through reuse and recycling efforts.
- 17,000 pounds of metal were recycled and kept out of the waste stream.
starts with a home
global impact
The global impact of Habitat's work
In addition to building in more than 900 communities across the United States, Habitat for Humanity works in over 70 countries worldwide. Through tithing and the Global Village program, U.S. affiliates can partner with international Habitat organizations to expand their impact. Habitat Metro Denver tithes about $250,000 annually (the second-highest in the country), which includes a $100,000 base tithe supporting Habitat programs in Brazil, Lesotho, Nepal, and Jordan. An additional $150,000 is directed to affiliate-selected projects, which will go this year to support a sustainable rent-to-own program in Tanzania.
The Global Village program brings volunteers together to build with Habitat in one-week builds worldwide, allowing US volunteers to get to know local culture and the role that Habitat plays in its housing solutions.
Long-time Habitat volunteer David “Ziggy” Ziegler has partnered with Habitat for Humanity across six continents – literally. “It changes you forever,” said Ziggy, who has participated in 70 Global Village trips worldwide.
“It’s inspiring that people go on these trips to help others and ask nothing in return."
Gerry Schmidt, another dedicated Habitat volunteer and Global Village team leader, says that anyone can participate in Habitat’s global impact. “There is work for every skill level,” Gerry said. “There’s always work that needs to be done.”
starts with a home
donor appreciation
Thank you to our supporters
This year, 127 families experienced the security and stability of home, thanks to your partnership.
Every home we build, renovate, repair, or preserve strengthens households today while helping create more resilient communities for generations to come.
Thank you for your support!
start with a home
legacy builder
The ReStore volunteer with a forever commitment
A longtime commitment to housing stability connected Jessie to Habitat. Following her retirement in 2007, she became a familiar face at the Denver ReStore and served as a volunteer cashier for nearly 10 years, supporting Habitat’s mission through both service and giving. In fact, Jessie made her first donation in 1994, long before she began volunteering.
Because affordable housing has remained central to her values, Jessie recently chose to include Habitat Metro Denver in her estate plans. Her future gift will help Habitat continue serving families for years to come, ensuring more parents and children have access to the safety, stability, and opportunity that a home provides.
“My annual giving to Habitat Metro Denver is a gift that I know is put to good use,” she says.
"This particular planned legacy gift continues with the same benefit each year after I'm not here to manage it. I am confident that Habitat will be here long after I'm gone."
Start a conversation today!
If Jessie’s story resonates with you, start a conversation today and build your own legacy for future generations of Habitat homeowners. To start, email us at:
or click the button below.
Or find out more:
starts with a home
July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026
Year-end financials
