81% of a low income individual's net wealth comes from home ownership. St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity is the local Habitat affiliate serving Pierce and St. Croix Counties, WI. We were founded in 1996, when a concerned group of individuals decided affordable housing opportunities were shifting in Western Wisconsin. Since then, we have built or repaired more than 70 homes in our communities. We believe in affordable, decent housing for all. Homebuyers must be have a reliable income, qualified under HUD Income Guidelines, dedicate up to 400 hours of sweat equity on their future home and show need for safe, affordable housing. As a nonprofit, we rely on individual, corporate and foundational gifts and partner with other nonprofit organizations dedicated to providing a hand-up and changing the future for all. The tremendous shift eastward during and post-pandemic has greatly impacted our border communities, making Pierce and St. Croix Counties the highest in the state in terms of median home sales. An affordable, safe home -one that costs 30% or less of a household income, is a basic human right.