Mission
Seeking to put God's love into action, Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope.
Background
Each affiliate coordinates all aspects of Habitat home building in its local area -- fundraising, building site selection, partner family selection and support, house construction and mortgage servicing. Local partner families are selected based on housing need (substandard or overcrowded housing), financial need (low income), ability to pay (financial ability to repay mortgage with 0% interest), and willingness to partner (sweat equity in lieu of down payment).
The Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity (LAHFH) affiliate has been building homes for people in Cass and Clay Counties since 1991. Since then, LAHFH has built 40 homes in the F-M community: 18 in Fargo, 14 in Moorhead, 10 in West Fargo, 1 in Barnesville, 1 in Casselton, and 1 in Dilworth. In the summer of 2011, LAHFH celebrated it's 20th anniversary and built 5 homes, including a Twin Home in West Fargo.
To further support the long-term financial sustainability of the affiliate, the LAHFH opened “ReStore” in August 2006 at 1817 1st Ave. N. in Moorhead, MN. The Habitat ReStore is a retail outlet where quality used and surplus building materials are sold at a fraction of normal prices. The proceeds from ReStore assist Lake Agassiz in funding the future construction of homes within the community. Materials sold by ReStore are donated from building supply stores, contractors, demolition crews and from individuals who wish to show their support for Habitat for Humanity. In addition to raising funds, the Habitat ReStore also helps the environment by re-channeling good, usable materials away from the landfills. In LAHFH ReStore’s first year, it raised over $76,250 in affiliate funds and diverted over 300 tons of waste from local landfills.
Public support of the ReStore’s efforts has been so strong, that in 2006, the ReStore had to expand from a 6,000 square foot building into a 16,000 square foot space in order to accommodate donations and floor space. The new ReStore is located at 210 11th St. N. Moorhead, MN and expanded its business hours from 4 days/week to 6 days/week. The larger ReStore building also houses the remodeled affiliate offices and conference room. The affiliate hopes to generate enough funds through ReStore to cover all administration costs. This way, all donations go directly towards a Habitat Home.
