The story of Habitat Vail Valley over the past decade is one of tremendous growth. Growth in the number of homes delivered; growth in new land opportunities; growth in developing outstanding partnerships and relationships with landowners, developers, local governments, as well as growth in expanding an incredible base of volunteers, donors and subcontractors who show up week after week and are so committed to the mission of Habitat in the Vail Valley.
The results of this growth story are seen in the simple fact that nine years ago Habitat delivered six homes to deserving families; in 2026 Habitat will deliver 39 homes to families who work hard and contribute to the much needed work force of the valley. These are families and children whose lives are dramatically changed by what we do at Habitat.
All of that said, Habitat’s work is just beginning as we now Build to deliver a total of 200 homes by 2028. It took 26 years to deliver the first 100 Habitat homes and will take just 7 years to reach our goal of completing the next 100 homes. None of this growth would be possible without the continued support of our many donors and volunteers. These results are both exciting and impactful but the need has never been greater to provide permanent affordable home ownership opportunities for teachers, police officers, firefighters, hotel workers, retail and grocery employees, construction workers, medical staff, and many others.
In a community where the median sales price of a home is in excess of $1.2MM we, here tonight, have the opportunity and the ability to do something extraordinary in the lives of our fellow neighbors. Providing safe affordable housing with a zero interest mortgage will not only elevate the lives of children and families who could not otherwise afford to live in this beautiful valley, it will also add to the quality of life for all of us.
Reaching our goal to Build to 200 starts tonight with each one of us. With your help tonight we can change the life trajectory of children and families who are in desperate need of safe, stable, affordable housing. Providing an affordable housing alternative for hard working members of our community not only strengthens our workforce it builds community and the ties that bind us all.
Watch this homeowner story — it’s clear the housing need in our community is great- including front line and midlevel professionals who are facing the most difficult life decisions with respect to housing security in the Vail Valley. A family of four making $106,000 can qualify for a habitat
home but otherwise cannot buy a home here. They may be forced to leave the Valley. When this happens we are all diminished. In 2025, for every one future homeowner selected by Habitat, Habitat received 27 applications. Put simply, the need is greater than ever.
As a final note I would like to thank the Habitat Staff for all your do. I would like to thank all past and present members of the board of directors for their service. Anyone who has volunteered on a job site, at the Restore, or has volunteered in any other way for Habitat; anyone who has donated time, services, materials or money to Habitat: Thank you! This is what community looks like. This is what it takes to support a strong and lasting community. This is why we are here tonight.
Together, we made this the greatest night ever in providing affordable housing for hardworking families in this incredible Valley.
Pete Thompson has served on the board of Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley for nine years and is the board president. He brings three-decades of experience from his career in development and construction to Habitat, but even more so brings an open heart and extreme desire to build more with Eagle County’s workforce. These are the words he shared at the Carpenters’ Ball, Habitat’s most successful fundraiser to date.
