Colorado Habitat for Humanity Receives $13.5M MacKenzie Scott Gift to Expand Affordable Homeownership

Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver announced it had received a $13.5 million unrestricted donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott — the largest single gift in the affiliate's history and a major boost to the Colorado housing pipeline at a moment when home prices and rents have climbed out of reach for thousands of working families.

The gift was part of a $436 million national contribution Scott made to Habitat for Humanity International and 84 U.S. affiliates, including Metro Denver. Local leaders said the funds will directly accelerate construction, expand advocacy, and open more pathways to affordable homeownership across the Denver metro region.

Why This Gift Matters for Colorado Homeowners

Colorado's housing market has become one of the most cost-burdened in the country. Nearly half of Colorado renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing, and many first-time buyers have been priced out entirely by rising home values, higher mortgage rates, and limited inventory.

Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver builds and sells homes to income-qualified families using affordable mortgages, sweat-equity contributions from the buyer, and deeply subsidized pricing. Every home the affiliate delivers is a household that moves off the rent treadmill and into long-term equity — something that is increasingly difficult to achieve in Colorado without significant help.

"This incredible gift will allow Habitat to accelerate our pipeline of construction over the next few years to meet the growing need for housing in our community," said Heather Lafferty, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver.

How the Funds Will Be Used

Because Scott's gift is unrestricted, the affiliate has flexibility to deploy the money where it will produce the most new homes the fastest. Habitat Metro Denver said the donation will:

• Speed up its construction pipeline over the next several years
• Fund additional land acquisition in a tight Colorado market
• Expand homebuyer education and financial-readiness programs
• Support advocacy work aimed at systemic barriers to affordable homeownership

Lafferty said the gift will "have a momentum-building impact" and "allow us to dream even bigger about accelerating our production, serve as a catalyst for equity and systems change, and ultimately, create more homeownership opportunities in our community."

Who Qualifies for a Habitat Home in Colorado

Habitat homeownership programs are designed for families who earn too much to qualify for most subsidized housing but not enough to buy on the open market. Applicants typically need to meet three core requirements:

• Income within Habitat's qualifying range (generally 30%-80% of Area Median Income, depending on the affiliate and program)
• Ability to pay an affordable mortgage, verified through credit and debt-to-income review
• Willingness to partner — including several hundred hours of "sweat equity" helping build their own home or others in the program

If you're considering applying, start with the Habitat affiliate that serves your county. Metro Denver covers Denver, Jefferson, Arapahoe, Douglas, and parts of Adams counties. Other major Colorado affiliates include Pikes Peak Habitat (Colorado Springs), Fort Collins Habitat, Loveland Habitat, and the statewide office at Habitat for Humanity of Colorado.

What to Do If You're a Colorado Homeowner or Hopeful Buyer

Even if you're not applying for a Habitat home, the expansion is good news. More affordable inventory helps stabilize neighborhoods, reduces displacement pressure, and supports local workforces — teachers, first responders, healthcare aides — who often struggle to live where they work.

Homeowners can also get involved in ways that benefit the broader community:

• Donate gently used building materials, appliances, or furniture to a Habitat ReStore
• Volunteer on a build site — no construction experience required
• Support local affordable-housing policy at the city and county level

For homeowners facing their own affordability pressures, Habitat affiliates often point residents to partner programs for home repair, weatherization, and financial coaching. Those resources can be as valuable as a new build for families trying to stay in homes they already own.

The MacKenzie Scott gift won't solve Colorado's housing crisis on its own, but it meaningfully expands the capacity of one of the state's most trusted homeownership organizations — and for the families who land in a Habitat home because of it, the impact will last generations.