We believe that
everyone
deserves a decent place to live.
Putting love into action, we bring people together to build homes, communities, and hope.
By Steven Heumann, Volunteer
No power tools. No electricity. No running water.
One house.
One house.
When I stepped off the plane in Kenya with the team of ten Americans from Habitat for Humanity, I really didn’t know what to expect. We had just spent the last 24 hours-plus traveling to the other side of the world. I knew what the plan was of course: to help build a house for a family living in poverty. I knew my role: document the build on film.
But I still had no idea what to really expect. Habitat for Humanity is known for building homes for people in need across the world. I knew that was their mission, but my education on this trip was going to go far beyond my preconceived notions of charity and goodwill. What I learned about Habitat, and Africa, surprised me in the best ways.
"It’s funny how the more possessions we have, the more cut-off we seem to become from the people around us."
Kenya isn’t terribly different from anywhere else in the world. The people are warm, the income divide is extreme, and community is far more important than it tends to be in the United States. That being the case, when you have millions of people with very little in the way of material possessions, it should come as no surprise that the people around them become infinitely more valuable.
I saw it on the first day of the build. We arrived in Laikipia County, a few hours north of Nairobi, right on the Equator. Dirt roads took us deep into the country, where we were introduced to Noel and her family. They had lived in a wooden shack with a dirt floor for over two decades, and now the Kenya affiliate for Habitat had partnered with them to build something more sustainable.
The entire community was there to greet us, to sing and to dance. And as the work commenced on the foundation, the community was right beside us mixing cement and dumping gravel. Noel and her family had never been alone, and they weren’t building alone, either.
That was one of the first things our group learned. Our efforts, while helpful in the sense that many hands make light work, were not really necessary. The masons knew how to level each layer of block using tools that have been around for millennia. The community was there to serve the family, and happy to do it.
"With all our technology and wealth, we found ourselves discovering how truly poor we really were."
Joy seemed to permeate every aspect of the Kenya build. Smiles abounded. Even though the new house would still lack running water and electricity, at one point Noel smiled and said, “This is the house the Lord has seen fit to bless me with. Praise be to the Lord!” Her appreciation was infectious.
During the week-long build, we learned that Habitat for Humanity Kenya was constructing multiple houses at that same time. This happened to be the one where they could afford the extra time to let some Americans come and get in the way of the masons; where cultural knowledge could be exchanged; where the real Kenya could be experienced.
This wasn’t a vacation. We were immersed in the real world like we had never been before. We understood the struggles and the fight to survive, but we also understood the joy of friends and the power of community to raise everyone to a higher level of bliss.
I personally learned about the power of Habitat for Humanity and how 90% of the funds raised actually don’t go to places like Kenya or Guatemala, but how they stay in the local community where they are raised. Money donated in Salt Lake City stays in Salt Lake City.
There may not have been electricity or running water; there may not have been the same conveniences that we take for granted, but what there was changed the way we all saw ourselves and the world around us. At least we were starting to ask ourselves the right questions. We wouldn’t have been able to do even that without Habitat for Humanity.
A Foundation of Strength, Stability, and Self-Reliance
Can a simple house change the trajectory of a family’s future forever? Since our local affiliate opened its doors in 1986, we have seen firsthand that the answer is a resounding "yes." This year, we aren't just celebrating our 40th anniversary; we are joining a global celebration of Habitat for Humanity International’s 50th anniversary.
The Roots of Habitat: From 1942 to Today
While Habitat for Humanity International was officially founded in 1976, the "partnership housing" model actually began much earlier. It started in 1942 at Koinonia Farm, an interracial community in Georgia.
It was there that the concept of the "Fund for Humanity" was born—the idea that new homeowners would work alongside volunteers to build homes at no profit, paying back no-interest loans to help build the next family's house. This radical vision of "a hand up, not a hand out" is what eventually led Millard and Linda Fuller to launch the international organization we know today.
Celebrating 40 Years of Local Impact
Since opening our doors in 1986, Habitat for Humanity Greater Salt Lake Area has achieved remarkable milestones in Salt Lake, Davis, and Tooele Counties:
- 117 Homes Built: We have provided 117 families with the opportunity for affordable homeownership, creating stability where it’s needed most.
- 441 Individuals Housed: Our programs have provided safe, permanent shelter for over 440 people, including hundreds of children.
- 1,000+ Lives Improved via CHiRP: Since its inception in 2012, our Critical Home Repair Program (CHiRP) has completed vital safety and health repairs for over 1,000 residents.
- 600 Tons Diverted Annually: Our Salt Lake ReStore (opened in 2009) diverts over 600 tons of reusable materials from local landfills every year, with all proceeds directly funding our home-building mission.
- Community Mobilization: In the last fiscal year alone, over 975 volunteers contributed more than 15,000 hours of service to our local projects.
The Power of the Global Network
Joining the Habitat for Humanity International network 50 years after its inception means being part of a massive movement for change. The scale of this mission is staggering:
- 65 Million People Served: Since 1976, Habitat has helped more than 65 million people globally build or improve their homes.
- A Massive Volunteer Force: In the last year alone, over 827,000 volunteers worldwide picked up a hammer or advocated for better housing.
- Economic Impact: In fiscal year 2025, Habitat successfully advocated for policies that unlocked over $6.65 billion in government funds for home affordability.
Key Stat: In 2025 alone, Habitat for Humanity helped 3 million people build or improve a place to call home, while another 20.8 million gained better housing potential through advocacy and training.
Our Role in the Next 40 Years
As we look toward the future, the need for affordable housing has never been greater. Median home prices have reached record highs, and millions of families are "cost-burdened," spending more than 30% of their income on housing.
We are committed to spending the next 40 years expanding our reach, but we can't do it without you. Whether through donations, volunteering at a build site, or shopping at our ReStore, you are the reason we can celebrate these milestones.
From the humble beginnings of Koinonia Farm in 1942 to our affiliate’s start in 1986, the mission has remained the same: Building strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. We are incredibly proud of the 40 years of service we’ve provided to our neighbors and the 50 years of global impact we share with Habitat International. Thank you for being part of this legacy.
Join Our Anniversary Celebration!
We want you to be part of our next chapter. Help us celebrate 40 years of local impact by becoming a sustaining donor. Even $5, $10, or $20 a month helps a family receive critical home repairs and access to affordable housing.
This week, our CEO Carin Crowe joined Derek Miller on Speaking on Business with the Salt Lake Chamber. She spoke about the power of a safe, affordable home — and the way our community continues to come together to build opportunity here in Greater Salt Lake.
“When we build with families, we aren’t just constructing homes — we are opening doors to stability, belonging, and the chance to shape a future. Hope grows stronger when we build it together.”— Carin Crowe, CEO, Habitat for Humanity Greater Salt Lake Area
On every Habitat build site, you can feel that truth. Volunteers, future homeowners, and community partners lift walls and lift spirits — side by side, learning, laughing, sweating (just a little), and creating something lasting. What begins as construction becomes connection. What starts as lumber becomes possibility.
This is our shared story.
We don’t build for families — we build with them.
And every home strengthens the fabric of our community.
Listen to the conversation, here.
When you step into the Habitat ReStore, you’re not just browsing cabinets, doors, or flooring—you’re stepping into opportunity. Here, families stretch their budgets, small contractors grow their businesses, and entire communities build futures.
See how one ReStore customer found and used quality materials to create a dream home for his family. 
Igor shows the Habitat team plans used to renovate his historic home in the avenues.
Igor’s Story
Igor came to Utah from Kazakhstan with a dream: to provide for his family and use his skills as a builder. Starting a new business in a new country was tough. Competing with big companies seemed impossible.
That changed when Igor discovered the affordable building materials at Habitat ReStore. With support from the ReStore team and his new company—Unique Assets—he could take on projects, deliver high-quality results, and start building a reputation.
Then came the biggest project of all: building his own family home. 
Igor and his wife, Rebecca, show the tile, cabinetry, and mirrors purchased from the ReStore.
From Renovation Roots to Building Unique Assets
In February 2024, Igor purchased his historic home, a milestone that marked the culmination of years of hands-on experience gained through prior renovation projects. His passion for building and design crystallized into a business venture after the success of his Parade of Homes project, where community recognition and constructive partnerships motivated him to establish Unique Assets—a company grounded in values of people-centered service, quality craftsmanship, and collaboration with contractors and suppliers.
His relationship with Restore began serendipitously while adding a small extension to his house: a visit to a different location introduced him to the store’s resources, later expanded by discovering the downtown Salt Lake City store. Over time, ReStore became integral to his workflow, offering affordable, sustainable materials that not only supported his projects but also embodied his ethos of building thoughtfully and responsibly.
Rebecca shows photos of the property before renovation, which had severe flood damage.
Confronting the Home’s Hidden Challenges
When Igor and his team started the renovation on the property, which was built in 1906, there were some challenges:
- Severe water damage along one side of the house, especially affecting the upper floor and windows.
- Rotted stone, soffits, and other structural elements due to water exposure and a sprinkler being left on.
- Damaged and non-repairable windows, particularly on the upper floor.
- The basement was very short and not livable, requiring excavation and finishing.
- The house’s original configuration was outdated, with small rooms and a layout that needed to be opened up for modern living.
- Additional repairs included replacing or adding structural beams, moving and replacing windows, updating bathrooms, and addressing general wear and tear throughout the property.
Overall, the renovation required extensive repairs to water-damaged areas, structural updates, and modernizing the layout and finishes.
A House Renovation with ReStore Finds
Igor’s home is more than a house—it’s a showcase of what’s possible when you combine creativity, sustainability, and community resources. Nearly every room tells a story of reclaimed materials turned into something beautiful.
Inside the Home:
- Bathrooms: stylish floor and wall tiles, vanities, tubs, mirrors, towel holders, heated floors, and custom glass shower enclosures.
- Kitchen & Living Room: hardwood floors, custom cabinets, baseboards, blinds, and even extra fridges for family gatherings.
- Entryways: modern entry doors, benches, mirrors, and custom wardrobes built from ReStore panels.
- Basement: practical vinyl floors, custom shelves and desks, decorative wood panels, and a ping pong table for family fun.
Exterior:
- Striking facade stone and custom garage doors.
- Planters, LED exterior lighting, and safety handrails.
- Ornamental tiles that add beauty and durability to the parking area.
The Essentials:
- Nails, glue, insulation, lumber, primer paint, and other building basics—often overlooked but essential to success.
With every ReStore find, Igor and his team created a home that is both stunning and sustainable.
Kitchen cabinets, tile backsplash, flooring, and lighting—all found at the ReStore.
Building Community
Igor’s project is about more than one family’s home. It shows what’s possible when neighbors, small businesses, and nonprofits partner together.
- For Unique Assets construction company, the ReStore was more than a supplier—it was a true partner, helping with loading, sharing what was coming in, and supporting them from the very start.
- For the community, it means saving money, reducing waste, and making the dream of homeownership more achievable.
- For Habitat for Humanity Greater Salt Lake Area, it means every purchase helps fund affordable homeownership and critical home repairs across Salt Lake, Davis, and Tooele counties.
Igor’s journey is a great example of the power of affordable materials, sustainable building, and the community partnerships that bring dreams to life. Because here in Utah, together, we build homes, hope, and futures.
Follow Unique Assets
📷 Explore more photos of Igor’s home build: Photo Gallery
🌐 Visit Unique Assets: uniqueassets.net
📱 Follow on Instagram: @unique.assets
