Our growth requires a clear vision and a thoughtful strategic plan in order to maintain the integrity and success of our efforts over the long-term. This strategic plan articulates a clear mission statement, shared values and pillars of focus to guide the efforts of the Habitat RFV team for years to come. Habitat RFV also believes it is important for our partners, stakeholders and supporters to have access to this strategic plan, which provides not only transparency but also accountability to our collective efforts. I want to commend all our Habitat RFV staff and board for their efforts in creating this template for our shared future.

Our strategic plan is a road map for the future, and most importantly, it will be a living document which will align our everyday work and decision making with clearly defined values, goals and objectives. Just as our past is the product of so many that have previously come together to fulfill our mission, going forward we can only succeed with the support of our entire team and the community working in unison within the framework of this strategic plan.

This plan has been developed through a collaborative process between the staff, leadership, administration and the Board, starting with an all-staff retreat to launch organizational team building. Each step of the process has had input and consensus from all levels of our organization on the important fundamentals of our values, vision, mission and strategic pillars. This level of engagement and ownership in our mission is what differentiates us and will be the foundation to our future success.

With breathtaking mountain views, boundless outdoor recreation options, and a blossoming arts community, the river valleys spanning from Aspen to Parachute are a unique and wonderful place to call home. It also has a long history of economic prosperity. From mining and ranching, and now recreation and tourism, our valley has always been known as a place where families could make an honest living.

But in recent years, the cost of living in the area has increased dramatically without equal growth in wages, which has had dire consequences for many of the people we know as our friends and neighbors. Although wages in the valley measure up to those in other areas of Colorado and the country at large, the cost of housing (to either rent or own) is far higher in our valley and among the highest in the United States.

The cost of owning a home in our state is high—66% higher than the national average—and the long term lack of access to affordable housing has only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The people most impacted by this affordable housing crisis are our workforce: the teachers, administrators, hospitality workers, and small business owners who fuel our way of life. These are the people who drive our economic growth and most shape our children.

With extremes of income and standards of living, the populations of the rural communities between Aspen and Parachute differ widely in their composition. The City of Rifle has a four person household median income of $77,500 while the equivalent family in Aspen has a $126,781 median income. Hispanic and Latino families comprise nearly one-third of Garfield County’s population, with many working in low-paying service jobs. In Carbondale Middle School over 52.9% of students are Hispanic, and 39.1% percent are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches. In contrast, just 3.4% of Aspen Middle School students are eligible.

The current affordable housing crisis is set to continue into the future. The 2019 Greater Roaring Fork Housing study states the region’s population will grow by about 25,000 in the next ten years and a third of this growth is expected to occur in the 65+ population. This growth in population translates to a shortfall of 5,700 units for people making below 100% of area median income (AMI) by 2027. The population of people 55+ is growing in the region and is expected to reach 23,300 by 2023. Housing prices statewide have increased 36.5% in the last 12 months and the recent spike has especially limited the stock of affordable housing available to working families and older adults.

According to Glenwood Springs Association of Realtors data, our region has a consistently strong market with robust absorption rates for single- and multi-family homes. But in 2021, the year-to-date median sales price for single family housing in Garfield County has gone up 28.6% compared to 2019 (Land Title Guarantee Company Garfield County Market Analysis). Combine the steeply rising house prices with the tight inventory of affordable homes and our work becomes more important than ever.

Habitat for Humanity of the Roaring Fork Valley was founded in 1999 when a group of concerned residents set out to form a Habitat affiliate with a mission to build homes in partnership with local families in need of affordable ownership housing. The new organization served the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys—from Aspen to Glenwood Springs to Parachute. 

Originally, we built one home at a time on donated land and were completely volunteer-operated. In 2004, we started hiring staff to provide structure and help us achieve our mission. While we started slowly, building one home every two years, in 2015 we began to quicken our pace of construction and built four homes. In 2021, we will complete nine homes. Through the years, we have actively advocated for affordable, energy-efficient housing at the local and state levels. In June of 2021, Governor Polis and Representatives McCluskie and Roberts chose Basalt Vista to sign the Dept. of Local Affairs Innovative Affordable Housing Strategies into law, providing $48 million for the building of affordable housing. 

For each of our 22 years, we have worked closely with our Habitat families through every step of the homeownership process and have provided safe, affordable housing to over 200 adults and children.

Habitat for Humanity of the Roaring Fork Valley formed.

Quicken our pace of construction and build four homes.

Break ground on our 40,500 square foot ReStore—a key economic driver for our homebuilding efforts.

Break ground on 27-home affordable housing community, Basalt Vista.

Habitat for Humanity of the Roaring Fork Valley will contribute to, and play a relevant role in, creating sustainable communities where all families and individuals can thrive through the empowerment of an affordable and stable place to call home.

Grounded in strong community relationships, Habitat RFV advocates for affordable housing and reuse of locally donated items at our ReStore to generate revenue that enables the development of affordable ownership housing for families and individuals from Parachute to Aspen.

We believe clearly defined, shared values are at the center of an effective, happy, and thriving organization. By ‘walking the talk’ and practicing these values day-to-day, we will be more successful in achieving our mission, signal to ourselves and others what we believe is important, create a productive workplace, and positively impact our partners and our community.

Trust is the firm belief in the reliability, truth and ability of ourselves and our co-workers.

Teamwork is the act of individuals collaborating on tasks and activities that enable us to achieve our mission.

Empowerment is ensuring every person has the tools and confidence they need to meet their full potential.

Accountability is when we all take responsibility for our decisions, actions and behavior.

Mutual Respect is when we all take time to acknowledge each other for who we are and what we bring to the organization.

Through Collaboration and Partnerships, we will courageously address the affordable housing crisis in our communities.

Sustainability is the ability to support ourselves as a thriving nonprofit organization, the ability of our Habitat families to lead healthy and productive lives, and the ability to create sustainable communities without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Pursue the mission of Habitat for Humanity with a strong, principled, equitable organizational culture, empowered leadership, and operate with a clear set of shared values.

Pursue long term financial stability and economic resilience through careful budgeting, planning, and managing with defined objectives and consistent financial reporting.

Establish processes and criteria by which to evaluate projects that balance speed of construction, quality, price, energy efficiency, volunteer and homeowner engagement and local job generation with community housing needs.

Optimize ReStore net revenue and future growth through data informed decision making, logistical and cost efficiencies, improved processes, flawless in-store and online shopping experiences, and relevant channel marketing.

Support, serve, and maintain relationships with all Habitat homeowners through the home buying process, homeowner education and sweat equity contributions with strong homeowner services including homeowner associations.

Establish Habitat RFV as a well respected nonprofit in our communities in order to maximize community engagement, strengthen and diversify our board of directors, and increase financial support through fundraising.

This plan also represents our commitment to investing in not only increasing the efficiency of our operations, but also in each person that makes up our organization, from our staff to volunteers.

We have identified some audacious goals for ourselves: we will take what we have learned at Basalt Vista to our new 18 unit net-zero Wapiti Commons development in South Rifle; we will grow our ReStore operations through efficiency, warehouse optimization, and possible new locations; and we will continue and strengthen Habitat RFV’s leadership role in regional and state discussions to identify strategies and resources to address the affordable housing crisis. These long term objectives come together under the umbrella of our mission and vision to create a transformational impact by Building Hope, Building Homes and Building Community.

When people think about Habitat for Humanity, they think the only way to get involved is to put on their tool belt and come out to build homes. And while we’re excited to welcome back volunteers to our jobsite and in our ReStore (no experience is necessary — just bring your energy and enthusiasm and we’ll teach you the rest), there are many ways to help us build affordable homes with the people we need in our communities.  

You can help by shopping at, or donating goods to, our ReStore — either in person at our 40,5000 square foot store in Glenwood Springs or online 24/7 from the comfort of your own home. 

You can also join our Builders Club with an ongoing monthly donation of as little as $15 a month. When you sign up, you’ll receive a thank you gift of our choice and 15% off an entire purchase of donated goods at our ReStore. As a member, you’ll also get advance notice of sales and invitations to exclusive members-only shopping days and events. 

If you’re interested in partnerships or sponsorships, please contact our Executive Director, Kristen Wilmes.

If you’re like to inquire about making a major financial gift or a gift of land, please contact our Major Gifts Officer, Alex Yajko at (970) 379-7687.

Finally, if you’d like to learn more about our Strategic Plan, please contact our President, Gail Schwartz.

Thank you!