Habitat for Humanity Idaho Falls Area

 Incorporated in 1994, Habitat for Humanity Idaho Falls Area is a nonprofit, Christian housing ministry seeking to eliminate poverty housing in the community and to make simple, decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. With the help of Habitat partner families, individual volunteers and volunteer groups from area churches, businesses, civic organization and schools, Habitat for Humanity Idaho Falls Area has built and renovated 58 homes throughout the Idaho Falls area. In addition, Habitat has completed many smaller paint and repair projects.

The cost of purchasing and owning a Habitat home is kept low through the use of volunteer labor during the construction process, no-interest mortgage payments and building to Energy Star standards. The typical new construction Habitat home has 1000-1060 square feet of finished living space which includes 2-3 bedrooms and 1 bath. To maximize the affordability to purchase a Habitat home there is no profit included in the sale of the house and no interest charged on Habitat mortgages. Additionally, by incorporating low maintenance building practices and building to Energy Star standards, the ongoing cost of homeownership is also reduced for Habitat families.

Habitat for Humanity Idaho Falls Area serves low-income families earning between 25% and 80% of the median income. The family selection process is activated as needed. It is the family selection committee’s responsibility to review and choose families based on their need, their willingness to become partners in the program and their ability to repay the no-interest mortgage. The Habitat homeownership program is open to all people, regardless of race, color, sex, creed, familial status, disability or national origin.

In 2010 Habitat for Humanity Idaho Falls Area board of directors set a goal to increase the affiliate’s capacity to build new construction homes from one a year to a minimum of four a year by 2014. With the aid of a capacity building grant and the dedicated effort by the board, staff and volunteers the affiliate met this goal.

Early in 2012, Habitat for Humanity Idaho Falls was notified that our affiliate would be the recipients of 20% of the Kurt and Genola Kandler Trust Funds. This funding, anticipated to be in excess of one million dollars, is being directed to be used for the benefit of the residents of Fremont, Madison, Jefferson and Teton counties in Idaho. With these funds Habitat has built nine homes in Ashton, Idaho.