East Idaho Moms is excited to feature Habitat for Humanity Idaho Falls Area as our nonprofit for October 2020. Eastern Idaho is fortunate to have a wealth of nonprofit and service organizations. By highlighting some of these groups, we hope to encourage moms and families to get involved and learn about all that our wonderful community has to offer.
Habitat for Humanity Idaho Falls Area’s umbrella organization, Habitat for Humanity, has
assisted low- to moderate-income families in 70 countries in building and repairing homes through nontraditional means for over 40 years. The Idaho Falls chapter, incorporated in 1994, is a 501(c) 3 organization. Its mission, “Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope,” can be seen in action by the work that is provided to the community. Habitat for Humanity Idaho Falls Area’s core programs include home construction, home rehabilitation, and the Brush with Kindness program, a program assisting current homeowners with the exterior of their homes.
Habitat for Humanity Idaho Falls Area provides 2-3 homes to local families every year. Although the cost of materials is high, and contracted labor is difficult to find due to Covid-19 shutdowns, Habitat for Humanity Idaho Falls Area hopes to increase the number of homes they build annually. Karen Lansing, the Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Idaho Falls Area, has spent her life around real estate. She says Habitat for Humanity Idaho Falls Area builds simple, decent, and affordable homes that focus on a family’s needs. This is especially important in Idaho Falls where, according to Lansing, homes appreciated 20% in 2019 and another 17% already in 2020, yet 80% of area jobs pay less than $20 per hour.
To assist with the cost of homeownership, Habitat for Humanity Idaho Falls Area offers the Habitat Mortgage, a no-interest mortgage where payments are based on no more than 30% of a family’s budget. Families are chosen for this program based on a three-point system: financial readiness to pay back the loan, willingness to give 300 hours of “sweat equity,” and family needs. A visit to the family’s current living arrangement helps determine the family’s needs.
Volunteering and fundraising activities are at a low because of current social distancing
requirements. However, Habitat for Humanity Idaho Falls Area appreciates community
volunteers 18 years and older (16 and 17 with a parent) for construction tasks; volunteers under 16 years of age can assist with landscaping and handing out flyers. Each site also utilizes paid professionals such as licensed contractors, plumbers, electricians, and HVAC contractors.
Creative fundraising efforts are taking place, including Habitat for Humanity Idaho Falls Area’s upcoming Passport for Housing 2020 Tour, which runs October 15-17.
This social distancing-friendly event allows guests to take a self-guided tour or tour guided by a lead car of seven houses, a construction site, the Habitat Restore Idaho Falls, a home that was rehabilitated, and a home that has benefited from the Brush with Kindness program.
The goal of Passport for Housing 2020 is to help our community understand Habitat for Humanity Idaho Falls Area‘s need for volunteers, donations, and pledges. Tickets can be purchased online for $35.00 ahead of the October 15-17 event and picked up on location.
More information regarding the Passport for Housing 2020 Tour and Habitat for
Humanity Idaho Falls Area can be found on their website at www.idahofallshabitat.org or by contacting Executive Director, Karen Lansing, by email at director@idahofallshabitat.org or by phone at (208) 521-6370.
Like and follow Habitat for Humanity Idaho Falls Area on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Habitat-for-Humanity-Idaho-Falls-Area-455125257862085.
