North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity

Building homes, communities, and hope together

Dear Friends,

Too many people in our communities work overtime and still can’t afford a decent place to live. Children are cold due to poorly insulated homes and high energy costs. North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity has helped 120 families build and buy comfortable, affordable homes. We need your help to keep making a difference in our neighbors’ lives.

Before Melissa Wallace partnered with Habitat in 2014, she lived paycheck to paycheck while working three jobs. Her utility bill was a staggering $800 per month, which still wasn’t enough to keep her and her three children warm. “I remember crying,” Melissa said. “That was a whole paycheck with overtime.” These struggles made buying groceries and having quality time with her family challenging.

A $37,440 salary is needed to afford an average two-bedroom apartment on the Iron Range, according to the Minnesota Housing Partnership. This is out of reach for home healthcare aides, retail workers, restaurant employees, and many more essential workers. Over 25% of St. Louis County renters spend more than half of their wages on housing. No one should face that burden.

Ten years later, Melissa reports that she loves her home and the stability it brings her. “I can get home and spend time with my kids rather than going to another job.” Melissa feels less stressed, and her children have thrived. “Being present is huge in kids’ lives. I wouldn’t have that if it wasn’t for Habitat. It’s a different world.”  

Melissa no longer struggles to make ends meet. “I’m redoing little things in my house because I want to, and I have the money for that. By working with Habitat, I learned how to do just about everything I could to maintain or upgrade my own home. Habitat is changing lives for the better.”

Please consider how much you can donate. Our target for 2025 is to build homes with six families.

Your contribution:
• Ensures more of our neighbors can afford decent housing.
• Offers immediate resources to help build energy-efficient homes.
• Adds to the local tax base and revitalizes vacant or blighted lots.

By giving to Habitat for Humanity, you will help replace a family’s substandard housing with a safe, sustainable home.

Thank you for your support,

Nathan Thompson, Executive Director

Our 2024 Home Builders