Habitat for Humanity of Elkhart County builds two homes in annual Faith Build

ELKHART, Ind. - Habitat for Humanity of Elkhart County's annual Faith Build kicked off today joining local churches to raise walls for two deserving families. 

For Greg Conrad, the president of Habitat for Humanity of Elkhart County, this opportunity unites the community in a shared spirit of generosity and compassion. 

"This is a remarkable occasion where churches from all corners of Elkhart County are coming together to transform dreams into reality for two deserving families," said Conrad. 

Dozens of volunteers worked in unison to place trusses on a single-story home and raised walls for a two-story home. 

These builds help combat growing affordable housing shortages. 

According to the Development Director for Habitat for Humanity of Elkhart County, Kristin Hall, they've completed 10 homes in 2023, almost triple than what was completed five years ago. 

Hall calls the builds "fulfilling." 

"When we invite partners like the faith build, like the churches, it's an opportunity for us to share that story to talk about what homeownership means to a family, how it changes a family's lives."

The Riege and Taylor families have gone through a lot of effort to get to this day, said Hall. 

They've put in 200 sweat equity hours, since being accepted into program in fall of 2022. 

In addition, families receiving the home must save for a down payment and attend homeowner and financial literacy classes. 

These homes, more than a shelter in the coming winter months, "change the trajectory of a family for generations," said Conrad. 

He gives a big thank you to the community, whose efforts helped change lives by providing stability, affordability and a future home for generations to come.