Northwoods Habitat for Humanity

Home Construction – Affordable Homeownership

At Habitat for Humanity, we believe in building strength, stability, and self-reliance through homeownership. Our program is not a giveaway — it’s a hand-up.

Future homeowners:

• Purchase their homes through a mortgage with Northwoods Habitat for Humanity and make affordable monthly payments.

• Invest at least 300 hours of “Sweat Equity” per adult, working on their own home or another Habitat build — creating pride and connection.

• Receive homes that are simple, decent, energy-efficient, and durable, built to green community and Energy Star standards.

Our local impact:

• 62 homes sold to low- to moderate-income families.

• We work with about 25 local businesses on every build, boosting our local economy.

• Rising material costs — due to shortages and inflation — mean your support is more critical than ever.

Join our Builder’s Club to help us build more homes— creating safe, affordable places for families to grow, build equity, and thrive for generations.

Scroll down to learn more about our other projects!

A Brush with Kindness – Exterior Home Repair Program

Every homeowner deserves to live in dignity. Sometimes, all that’s needed is a hand-up to make that possible.

Through A Brush with Kindness, we:

• Provide low-income homeowners with exterior repairs such as decks and ramps, painting, landscaping, and minor fixes.

• Bring together teams of 10–20 volunteers to work alongside homeowners, creating a positive, empowering experience.

• Serve a broader range of families while following Habitat’s same core principles: need, ability to pay, and willingness to partner.

• Keep repairs affordable through volunteer labor, donated materials, and no-interest loans or grants.

Our impact since 2011:

• Over 90 projects completed valued at $219,510.

• 8,921 volunteer hours invested to keep homeowners living safely and independently.

Global Partnership – Guatemala

Since 1990, Northwoods Habitat for Humanity has tithed $182,725, directly impacting 51 families in Guatemala.

Why it matters:A safe home means:

1. Stability for families and children.

2. Pride, confidence, and dignity.

3. Improved health, safety, and security.

4. Better educational and job opportunities.

Habitat Guatemala homes:

• Families receive a $5,200 construction credit, repaid over 8–12 years at a low interest rate.

• Homes are steel-reinforced concrete block structures, designed to withstand earthquakes and severe weather.

• Roofs of corrugated metal keep families dry during rainy seasons; insulation is added in colder regions.

• Each home has 3–4 rooms, an attached bathroom, and a choice of nine designs for personalization.

ReStore – A Home Improvement Thrift Store

The Bemidji ReStore (1357 Exchange Ave SE) is where donations become homes!

We:

• Accept gently used building materials, furniture, appliances, tools, and more.

• Divert an average of 750,000 pounds from local landfills each year.

• Sell quality goods at 50% or more below retail.

• Raise about $150,000 annually to fund our homebuilding programs.

Every purchase and donation keeps materials out of the landfill, puts affordable goods back into the community, and builds homes for families in need.