RV PRO spoke with Kristin Hall, development director at Habitat for Humanity of Elkhart County (HFHEC), who said the organization expects to close on 11 homes this year — an increase from the five to seven homes Habitat built on average a few years ago. The organization’s Elkhart County division was established in 1986 and has built 232 homes since.
Read below on HFHEC’s continued efforts and how to support affordable housing for Indiana-based families:
How was the turnout for HFHEC’s most recent builds?
The most recently completed home was for the Smith family. Our signature fundraising event, Raise the Roof, sponsored two homes home for the Smith and Leonard families. Sponsors for the event were Viewrail, Genesis Products, Patrick Industries, THOR Industries, Brinkley RV, Lippert, Dometic, Forest River, Dave Carter & Associates, Team Construction and PNC Bank. These sponsors compete as teams and build the interior and exterior walls of the homes, called a “Panel Build.”
The Smith home was completed in just over three months, with nearly 300 volunteers.
Habitat partners with qualified applicants and homes are built based on the family size; three- and four-bedroom homes are standard. Habitat also builds five-plus bedroom and two-story homes. Depending on the size of the home, builds can take anywhere between three to five months to complete.
How does the organization advocate for fair housing policies in Indiana?
HFHEC advocates eliminating barriers to adequate and affordable housing by working with local and state officials. This includes a recent Indiana law signed into law in 2023, helping make housing infrastructure costs more affordable, plus new state tax credits (Attainable Homeownership Tax Credits) that went into effect in 2024. The goal is to increase affordable housing production throughout the state.
What support is the organization most in need of currently?
HFHEC relies on our community partners to volunteer and provide financial support for each home. Sustaining sponsors are corporate partners and local foundations that provide financial support for each home built annually. HFHEC also has house sponsors, like Winnebago Industries Foundation. HFHEC first partnered with Winnebago in 2019, and its sponsorship includes hosting Panel Builds — Grand Design RV, Winnebago Towables and Newmar have each hosted one.
This year, Newmar hosted the Panel Build for the Woods family, with 53 Newmar team members helping to build walls in their Nappanee location on Aug. 8. We anticipate having several groups participate in this build from the Winnebago brands.
As HFHEC continues to increase its impact in Elkhart County through increased construction activity, Habitat relies on community partners to support its mission and ministry of building homes, community and hope.
The average construction cost of a Habitat home in 2024 is $170,000.
How can companies become more involved in HFHEC?
Companies can support Habitat through sponsorships, individual giving, volunteering or becoming an advocate. Habitat builds year-round. Volunteers can sign up on our website or call to schedule a group. Habitat hosts groundbreakings and dedications for each home, and the community is invited to attend. Its signature event, Raise the Roof, is held the first Thursday in May at the Northern Indiana Event Center in the Peter Orthwein Pavilion, and we are actively recruiting teams and sponsors to participate in the 2025 event.
To learn more about opportunities to support, follow Habitat on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram, or go to their website, habitatec.com.
RV PRO highlights the philanthropic efforts of industry companies and dealerships. Please send us 500 words about your company’s volunteer work and programs for a chance to be featured in future issues. Email Managing Editor Jordan Benschop: jbenschop@cahabamedia.com.
