Building Hope: Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis

Habitat for Humanity St. Louis receives more than 5,000 calls annually from families looking to own a home. The local need for affordable housing is evident. The nonprofit estimates that more than half of all rental units are occupied by people who pay more than 30 percent of their income toward rent, leaving them without financial resources for child care, medical services and education. It’s Habitat’s mission to provide opportunities for economic and social stability through affordable home ownership.

When many of us think about Habitat for Humanity, we picture free houses built by volunteers, but that is a common misconception. “We don’t give houses away; we provide opportunities to well-deserving St. Louis families,” explains CEO Kimberly McKinney. The nonprofit helps those who live off of 25 to 50 percent of the area median income and aren’t able to obtain conventional financing. The families purchase their homes, pay a mortgage, contribute 350 hours of ‘sweat equity’ to construction, and take educational courses to prepare them for the challenges of owning a house.

Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis raises more than 95 percent of its funding locally. “Without the financial support of the community, we wouldn’t be able to buy the land or building materials we need,” McKinney says. Along with donations from individuals, businesses and faith-based organizations, the local chapter raises funds through its two area ReStore locations, which sell new and gently used building materials and home products to the public. Money raised by ReStore sales helps cover operating costs, meaning more of the donations can go directly to creating affordable housing. “It’s our long-term goal to have all of the money we raise fund our programs, so if you write a check, every cent will go to building houses, selecting families and mobilizing volunteers,” McKinney says. “It’s about 84 cents on the dollar now.”

ReStore South Side recently relocated to the new Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis headquarters at 3830 S. Grand Blvd. The new building brings the nonprofit’s resources and services together in one place. Along with the ReStore, the facility includes administrative offices, a conference room and a construction warehouse. McKinney is confident the new arrangement will increase efficiency and collaboration. “We’re thrilled to have everyone under one roof,” she says. “We’re excited to settle in and continue to serve the community. At the end of the day, it’s about all of us working together to solve an issue here in St. Louis.”

A grand opening celebration was held May 2, which included a massive ribbon cutting with about 150 pairs of scissors as Habitat representatives joined contractors, volunteers and others who made the new building possible. “We opted to make the ribbon cutting a reflection of the collaborative process of the move and renovation,” McKinney says.

Along with the excitement of the new space, the chapter will celebrate another important accomplishment this summer: construction of its 400th house. “We want to recognize any and all milestones,” McKinney says. “I hope we reach the next 100 quicker because there are so many families who need a decent place to live. I think it’s a mission the whole community can get behind.”

Habitat for Humanity of Saint Louis offers home ownership opportunities to families living between 25 and 50 percent of the area median income. Its newly opened headquarters at 3830 S. Grand Blvd. was a collaborative undertaking with Cushman & Wakefield, Hok and S.M. Wilson & Co. Pictured on the cover, clockwise from top left: Eric Mersmann, Lauren Talley, Megan Banks, Kyle Hunsberger, Linda Loewenstein. For more information, call  314.371.0400 or visit habitatstl.org.

Cover design by Allie Bronsky
Cover photo by Tim Parker Photography

Pictured above: ReStore general manager Josh Vaughn and Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis CEO Kimberly McKinney.