Our History

The Beginning

Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley (HHHV) began working with Washtenaw County families in 1989 when a few residents saw a need to create more affordable home ownership opportunities for families of low-income. HHHV began building homes in Washtenaw County for families that were in the 30-80 percent of the area median income, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

When the 2008-2009 foreclosure crisis hit, HHHV witnessed the unstable economy impact the community, creating an abundance of vacant properties in the neighborhoods HHHV serves. HHHV shifted focus to include neighborhood stabilization and revitalization, beginning to put more emphasis on the number of families served rather than the number of houses built.

Our Growth

This new approach organically led HHHV to expand the types of services it offers. In response to market challenges and the community’s needs, HHHV expanded its trademark homeownership program (HOP) to include the sale of renovated properties, which reduced blight and positively impacted neighborhoods. At the same time, HHHV adopted the neighborhood revitalization quality of life framework, partnering with three Ypsilanti Township neighborhoods to respond to community aspirations with an expanded array of products, services and partnerships to empower residents and revive their neighborhoods. As this shift occurred, the community’s low-income residents were also challenged by the outsized repair needs of the Township’s aging housing stock. HHHV responded by adding the home improvement program (HIP) to provide products tied to affordable home ownership, including weatherization, critical repairs, exterior home improvements and energy-efficiency appliance programs.

Over the next five years, from 2009-2014, HHHV purchased and renovated 26 homes in and around Gault Village neighborhood of Ypsilanti Township and solidified commitment to a neighborhood revitalization initiative. HHHV, residents, organizations, and the Ypsi Township government worked together to develop programs and services to revive neighborhood involvement and investment in the community.

In 2019, the unique needs of seniors became clearer, and specific aging-in-place home modifications and repairs were added to the HIP program (HIP-AIP), including barrier-free bathroom modifications and home safety improvements. HHHV is a committed partner - proven capable of significantly impacting the lives of Ypsilanti Township residents.

Looking Forward to the Future

To date, HHHV continues to invest in the community, serving more neighbors in more ways. HHHV has built or renovated more than 275 homes, completed over 9,000 home improvement projects, provided 6,500 energy-efficient appliance replacements, and hosted 190 exterior home improvement, neighborhood beautification and community events in Washtenaw County and provided more than 6,500 Home Improvement Projects to residents of low-income in need of critical repairs.

In addition to this work in Washtenaw County, HHHV supports Habitat’s work overseas, mainly Haiti and Guatemala, and has provided more than $900,000 in tithe and served 233 international families.

As the 7th Habitat affiliate incorporated in Michigan, Habitat Huron Valley is proud to be recognized as a productive, progressive affiliate. HHHV holds the record for the most families served in Michigan, ranked No. 5 in the U.S. for the number of families served each year of all Habitat affiliates, ranked No. 5 in the U.S. for number of repairs provided to existing homeowners and ranked No. 15 in the U.S. for number of renovations of all Habitat affiliates.

As HHHV continues to grow and the needs of our community change, we continually look for opportunities to meet the needs of our community. HHHV engages our neighbors to build better neighborhoods through our volunteer, donation, partnership and ReStore efforts.

Building homes. Securing Futures. Strengthening Communities… under one roof.