It takes a community of volunteers to support St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity’s mission. Construction volunteer shifts are typically 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m., Wednesday through Friday and some Saturdays. Photos: St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity
St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity has a legacy of generosity and innovation.
Three decades of providing affordable housing to families is an accomplishment to be celebrated. Throughout 2026, that’s exactly what St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity (SCVHFH) is doing. In March, it hosted its Foundations of Hope Gala. In July, it will relaunch a home repair initiative. To cap off the summer, it will host an inaugural golf tournament in August.
The local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1996 to help fill a need in Pierce and St. Croix counties. In the 30 years since, the organization has helped nearly 100 families in 11 communities through affordable home builds, neighborhood revitalization and repair programs. Seven builds kicked off last year alone. “Housing is a basic need, and it’s a foundation of long-term stability,” says Mike Steblay, a Lake Elmo resident who serves as SCVHFH board treasurer and vice president of finance at Renewal by Andersen.
Through decades of change, success hasn’t always been easy. As the housing shortage deepens and building costs rise, SCVHFH has adapted by downsizing its ReStore and developing new building strategies, Steblay shares.
One major initiative that bridges the gap is modular homes, which are built in a manufacturing plant and pieced together on-site. This method decreases SCVHFH’s costs and shortens build times from one year to as quickly as six months. This summer, SCVHFH will begin construction on the Post Mill Flats, a modular triplex in Baldwin, Wisconsin, made possible by a land donation from Western Wisconsin Health. One of these homes will be made available specifically for a healthcare worker. “We’re excited to see how these modulars are helping us impact younger buyers [and] bring in younger families,” says Kristie Smith, SCVHFH executive director. “We all need a safe place to call home.”
Western Wisconsin families with a household income of up to $120,000 can qualify to purchase a Habitat build. Homes are not given away for free. “Our homes are sold to help people afford a mortgage of 30 percent of their income,” Smith says. SCVHFH supplements that with a second mortgage made possible by local grants and donations.
Steblay credits much of SCVHFH’s longevity to generous donors and volunteers. A future homeowner of a Habitat build will put in about 100 hours of sweat equity per adult, but it takes a community of volunteers to place the 150 pounds of nails and 400 two-by-fours that the average house contains.
Hudson, Wisconsin, resident Curt Larson, a Navy veteran and retired 3M inventor and engineer, has been volunteering for SCVHFH for 24 years. At 80, Larson encourages others to avoid seeing age or experience as a limitation. “A lot of people think they don’t know enough to volunteer,” Larson says. “There’s always something to do. It isn’t about your skill level; it’s about your desire to contribute.”
Larson urges anyone interested to get involved. While working at a build site is one way to participate in the Habitat mission, it’s not the only way. Financial donations are appreciated, as are donations to the ReStore. SCVHFH can always use volunteers to work at the ReStore and with project support at the office.
St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity
Facebook: St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity
