Fort Collins Habitat-Long Post

It’s taking some serious elbow grease for the local chapters of Habitat for Humanity to combat the ailing economy this year. Fortunately, they specialize in getting the job done.

Candace Mayo, Executive Director of the Fort Collins chapter, says that all non-profit organizations have taken a hit from the poor economy.

“While donations aren’t down too much, we know that our sponsored families are starting to have problems making house payments.”

This poses a problem because the money received from those payments funnels directly into sponsoring construction of the next local house.

Since it’s inception in 1993, the Fort Collins chapter has built 43 homes in the area. And for every home built locally, the sector builds another home overseas. So in reality, the chapter is losing funds for two houses at a time.

“[The economy] also makes it hard for applying families to qualify for a home,” Mayo said.

In order to be eligible for a Habitat for Humanity house, the family must have good credit, be able to make a $1000 down payment, and must contribute 300 hours of sweat equity into their home. 

“Lower income families are, understandably, getting deeper into debt so they become ineligible for a home,” Mayo said.

Even though the economy is not on their side, the Fort Collins chapter is still working hard to raise money.

“We’re hosting a gala on April 10 at the Embassy Suites, that’s the big thing. We also send out direct mail to the community, and we get regular donations that way,” Mayo said.

The Fort Collins chapter also gets help from the Habitat Home Supply Store located at 4001 S. Taft Hill Road.  Profits made from sales at the store go towards the organization’s cause and also to help pay the employee’s salaries.

“The store is really great because it works as sort of an advertisement, it let’s people know we’re here,” Mayo said.

With awareness comes sponsors, and Mayo says that often times people are excited about the houses that their donations of money and time have helped to build.

“Many of our homeowners tell us that cars will drive by and the people inside are smiling and pointing at the house. Ours is a great non-profit because you can see where your money is going.”

The Colorado State University chapter is hoping to help build a house of their own. At the beginning of the year, the club set a goal to raise enough money to co-sponsor one house build this year.

“It costs anywhere from $10,000 to $15,000 to co-sponsor a house. We still need to raise about $5,000 to reach our goal,” Laura Bowman, President of CSU Habitat, said.

The club has hosted a benefit concert along with smaller functions such as gift-wrapping sessions and RamRide to raise money in the past. Recently, with the economy taking its toll, they have decided to put together a community yard sale instead.

“This year is a new beginning for our club and we decided our annual fundraiser needed to be redone as well.  We wanted something that would have a connection to Habitat and the homes we build.  The club thought there is nothing better than home furnishings to help fill your house,” Bowman said.

The CSU chapter is currently working with churches and the campus parking services to try and reserve an empty parking lot to hold the sale. Additionally, the club members will design advertisements, pitch the sale to local neighborhoods, and provide pick up of donated goods before the event in early May.

“It is a great cause, and while it takes a lot of effort to pull something like this off, I think in the end we will be very proud of what we accomplished and excited to put the money directly towards building someone's new home,” Ashley Johnson, secretary of CSU Habitat, said.

Founded in 1976, the International Habitat for Humanity organization has built over 350,000 houses around the world in over 3,000 countries.  Those homes have provided 1.75 million people with affordable housing. With this kind of reputation, local affiliates remain optimistic.

“We will bounce back, we’ll be ok,” Candace Mayo, Fort Collins Executive Director said.  “This is a good cause.  Our homeowners remember how their house was built and the people that helped build it, and that makes them cherish it even more.”