HABITAT FOR HUMANITY IN WALWORTH COUNTY
Lake Geneva, WI
Website | Phone: (262) 949-0542
Mission
Habitat for Humanity in Walworth County, Inc. (HFHWC), is dedicated to bringing people together to build homes, strengthen communities, and inspire hope by promoting stability, resilience, and self-reliance through shelter in Walworth County. At the heart of HFHWC's mission is the belief that everyone deserves a safe, affordable home that preserves their dignity. To accomplish this, we partner with eligible families who need a "hand up" rather than a "handout," ensuring they are treated with respect and feel valued throughout the process. HFHWC recognizes the growing affordable housing crisis in Walworth County and its impact on families and local businesses struggling to hire and retain workers. Therefore, HFHWC is committed to expanding its mission to help more Walworth County residents who earn above the federal poverty level but below the cost-of-living threshold to achieve homeownership.
Community Resources
In addition to constructing six affordable homes and working with the Walworth County Housing Authority to develop four to six apartments within Walworth County communities this year, HFHWC's commitment to fostering stability, resilience, and self-reliance through shelter for Walworth County’s workforce is further demonstrated by its Essential Repairs Program. A recent example occurred this winter involving a family in Lake Geneva. A hardworking mother purchased a house that, while affordable, was neither safe nor suitable for her and her children. The home lacked a kitchen, windows, and insulation. The floors were only partially finished, and extension cords ran throughout the house due to incomplete electrical work. Holes in the drywall and old plaster allowed cold air in, putting her and her children in a dangerous situation. Although the mother attempted to fix these basic issues, she quickly ran out of resources and didn't know where to find help. Sadly, this situation is common and reflects what many families in Walworth County face when affordability and a lack of safe housing options force them to make tough choices. With no other options, a family member contacted Habitat for Humanity in Walworth County for assistance. Through the Essential Repairs Program, many volunteers from across the community, including members of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Lake Geneva, donated their time, talent, and generosity to help Habitat support this mother and her boys. As of February 2026, that same house is safe, stable, and ready for a mother to raise her children. The floor has been finished. Exterior siding and windows have been installed—keeping the cold out and warmth in. Walls have been repaired and insulated—sealing the home for winter. The electrical system is complete and functioning—eliminating unsafe extension cords. The kitchen has been installed and is operational—allowing this mother to cook and share meals with her family. Neighbors working side by side came together with hope, hard work, and faith in action to restore what was once unfinished, changing everything for this mother and her children. In addition to building more houses, Habitat for Humanity plans to repair approximately ten other homes this year through the Essential Repair Program.
Most Urgent Need
As Habitat for Humanity in Walworth County continues to grow, our most pressing need is to scale our operational capacity to meet increasing demand. More individuals and families are turning to us for help, resulting in multiple projects happening simultaneously across the county. To effectively serve this need, we require additional infrastructure—specifically trailers, vehicles, and tools—to support concurrent build and repair projects in different locations. While Walworth County is often perceived as affluent, nearly 40% of residents still struggle with housing affordability. At the same time, our volunteer base remains strong and engaged, ready to serve. With the right equipment and resources in place, we can fully leverage that volunteer support and expand our impact—helping more families access safe, stable, and attainable housing.
