The Waterloo Community Foundation is announcing the establishment of the Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity-Waterloo Endowment Fund.
In 1990, Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity began serving in Black Hawk, Butler, Bremer, and Buchanan counties, building affordable homes for qualifying homebuyers and completing critical home repairs in owner-occupied homes.
As Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity is looking to the future, they are recognizing the need for asset-based, full neighborhood revitalization, in hopes of improving the quality of life for families in local neighborhoods. Partnering with residents, organizations, local officials, and businesses, they help create the Walnut Neighborhood Housing Coalition in 2016 to revitalize the Walnut area. Since then, Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity is playing a significant role in partnering with low-income owner-occupants in the neighborhood to provide critical home repairs, preventing existing homes from falling into further disrepair. Additionally, they are fully rehabbing vacant homes in the neighborhood and selling them to new Habitat homebuyers and are planning to build or rehab 12 additional vacant properties over the next three years.
They are now expanding their neighborhood revitalization work to the Church Row neighborhood, located between W 6th Street and US 63, and extending from Hwy 218 to Kimball Avenue. The neighborhood is home to approximately 1,483 housing units, including owner-occupied homes, rental homes, and apartments.
Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity Executive Director, Ali Parrish, says, “We recognize that approaching neighborhood revitalization with a holistic mindset is a long-term commitment. Establishing a permanent source of long-term support for this work allows us to plan for the continued transformation that can occur through housing in the communities we serve”.
Individuals or businesses interested in supporting the Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity-Waterloo Endowment Fund may contribute online or send tax-deductible donations to the Waterloo Community Foundation at 425 Cedar Street, Suite 320 Waterloo, IA 50701. Donations to the Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Endowment Fund are eligible for the Endow Iowa Tax Credit.
