Our Vision
A world where EVERYONE has a decent place to live.
Our Mission
Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.
About
Lake Agassiz Habitat
for Humanity
Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity (LAHFH) is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization operated on Christian principles that seeks to put God’s love into action by building homes, communities, and hope. LAHFH is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating, and preserving homes; advocating for fair and just housing policies; and providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman, and child should have a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all.
We partner with local businesses, churches, and volunteers to help build homes with qualifying families. Volunteers provide most of the labor, and individual and corporate donors provide money and materials to build Habitat houses. Most importantly, partner families play a large role in the building of the home. They invest 300-500 hours of labor – “sweat equity” – into building their homes and the homes of others. They also make income-based mortgage payments which go into a fund that is used to build more houses.
With the generous support of donors and volunteers LAHFH has made a lasting and meaningful impact in our community by helping local families realize their dreams of home-ownership and furthering Habitat’s goal of simple, decent and affordable housing.
All are welcome
Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity has an open-door policy: All who believe that everyone needs a decent, affordable place to live are welcome to help with the work, regardless of race, religion, age, gender, political views, or any other distinctions that too often divide people. In short, Habitat welcomes volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds and also serves people in need of decent housing regardless of race or religion.
As a matter of policy, Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliated organizations do not proselytize. This means that Habitat will not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must either adhere to or convert to a particular faith, or listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith. Habitat for Humanity International was founded in Americus, Georgia, USA, in 1976. Today, Habitat for Humanity operates around the globe and has helped more than 62 million people build or improve the place they call home.
Did You know?
After volunteers and the future homeowners work side-by-side to build the home, Habitat sells the home to a pre-qualified family using an income-based mortgage. Payments are set below 30% of each family’s monthly income to ensure long-term affordability. Because Habitat acts as the lender, 100% of the mortgage principal payments return to Habitat to help build more homes.
Financial Information:
Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity
210 11th Street N Moorhead MN 56560
218-284-5253
Tax ID Number: 41-1690131
Financials:
Our Board
Meet our current board members
Our Board of Directors meets once a month. Board members are selected both for their commitment to the mission of HFH and to represent the entire community. The Board consists of representatives from the faith community, local universities, non-profit organizations, and community businesses, as well as public and private sector housing professionals. The Board meets regularly on the third Thursday of each month.
Executive Committee Member and Family Selection Committee Member
Biography:
1. Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Vining, MN.
2. How long have you been living in the FM Area?
I moved to the FM area for college in 2002 and it has been home ever since!
3. Where did you go to school?
MSUM for undergrad and NDSU for grad school.
4. What is your favorite part of your home?
My office/reading area is my favorite space in my home. It's super cozy!
5. Tell us about what you were feeling when you became a homeowner for the first time.
I was so excited to own my own home after being a renter for years. Having my own space and a yard for my son to play safely in meant a lot to me.
6. What is your history with HFH?
I joined the Board of Directors in 2018 and have been a part of the Family Selection Committee since then as well.
7. What inspired you to get involved with HFH and join the board?
This is such a great organization! I love the mission and work of HFH and am excited to be able to be a part of it!
Executive Committee Member
Executive Committee Member
Board Member Biography:
1. Where did you grow up?
I grew up with 5 siblings on a grain and cattle farm in central North Dakota near the small town of McHenry.
2. How long have you been living in the FM Area?
Other than 2.5 years living in Golden, Colorado, I have lived in the Fargo-Moorhead metro area since 1984.
3. Where did you go to school?
I graduated from Mayville State University in Mayville, North Dakota with a bachelor's degree in Computer Science, a minor in math, with a particular focus on baseball. 🙂
4. What is your favorite part of your home?
Our den/music room is a my favorite part of my home. The room has a spectacular night view of the city and it's where I can enjoy my wide variety of vinyl, discs, and streamed music with a cup of coffee or adult beverage.
5. Tell us about what you were feeling when you became a homeowner for the first time.
We experienced a multitude of feelings when we purchased our first home. Obviously, there was a feeling of pride in home ownership, but it was also a little scary not knowing what all is entailed in maintaining a home. In this regard, we had a lot of family and friends help us through the learning process.
6. What is your history with HFH?
I joined Habitat Board on in 2018 upon the recommendation and referral of a friend, Leann Wolff, who was an outgoing board member, Although I had extensive leadership and management experience, I quickly learned that LAHFH is a very complex organization with a lot of moving parts. The learning curve certainly takes time.
7. What inspired you to get involved with HFH and join the board?
The mission of HFH is such a humbling and rewarding pursuit. Until you participate with Habitat, it's hard to conceptualize the impact that the organization has on not only the partner families but also the volunteers. Also, my dad and uncles taught us about building as a necessity on the farm and it felt like a great opportunity to use those skills.
8. Is there anything else that you’d like to add?
My time on the Board has been extremely satisfying and humbling. I have been honored to work with exceptional Habitat staff and a dedicated team of board members.
Finance Committee Member
Executive Committee Member and Resource Development Committee Member
Executive Committee Member and ReStore Committee Member
Board Member Biography:
1. Where did you grow up?
Murray, KY
2. How long have you been living in the FM Area?
11 years
3. Where did you go to school?
Undergraduate and Graduate degrees are both from Murray State University.
4. What is your favorite part of your home?
Easily, the kitchen. It’s where conversation flows, good food brings people together, and memories are made.
5. Tell us about what you were feeling when you became a homeowner for the first time.
It was a profound sense of independence and accomplishment. For the first time, I truly felt like an adult—responsible for something bigger than myself. Owning a home brought a deep sense of pride, along with the understanding that I now had something to care for and grow into.
6. What is your history with HFH?
I joined the LAHFH Board in August of 2021. Prior to that, my involvement with Habitat was limited and mostly connected to my professional role, where I assisted in the procurement of a couple of tax-forfeited lots for the organization.
7. What inspired you to get involved with HFH and join the board?
Through my professional work with LAHFH, I came to understand that Habitat’s mission goes far beyond homeownership. It’s about creating a generational impact for deserving families—building stability, opportunity, and lasting change.
8. Is there anything else that you’d like to add?
The LAHFH staff is truly first-class. For them, it’s more than just a job—it’s a higher calling to serve and make a lasting difference in the lives of families.
House Production Committee Member
Resource Development Committee Member
Board Member Biography:
1. Where did you grow up?
Fordville, ND
2. How long have you been living in the FM Area?
I moved here in 1999 for college and never left.
3. Where did you go to school?
NDSU - Go Bison!
4. What is your favorite part of your home?
The kitchen/dining/living room area. It's bright and open, yet cozy.
5. Tell us about what you were feeling when you became a homeowner for the first time. I assume you own a home, but if not, we can tweak this.
I was excited and a bit stressed out all at the same time.
6. What is your history with HFH?
I have donated to HFH before, but I didn't fully understand what goes into being selected to have a home built and what responsibility the families have until I was asked if I would be interested in joining the board.
7. What inspired you to get involved with HFH and join the board?
I wanted something more in my life and giving back to the community via a great organization seemed like a wonderful opportunity.
8. Is there anything else that you’d like to add?
It has already been a great experience. It is very humbling and makes me realize that I have a lot to be thankful for.
Resource Development Committee Member
Board Member Biography:
1. Where did you grow up?
Born and raised in Fargo, ND!
2. How long have you been living in the FM Area?
35 years (lived in Grand Forks for a few to try out UND, but moved back to attend NDSU).
3. Where did you go to school?
North Dakota State University
4. What is your favorite part of your home?
The kitchen and dining room! Stephen and I love to cook and before or after dinner we usually play multiple rounds of backgammon at the table.
5. Tell us about what you were feeling when you became a homeowner for the first time.
I remember feeling PROUD and excited.
6. What is your history with HFH?
When I started at KA Fargo over a year ago, I was meeting with various non-profits in Fargo to learn more and see how our team (and myself) could get involved with an organization that resonated with us. When I met with Pete and Brianna from LAHFH, I was in awe of the organization. Jim and I met for coffee shortly after and I have been involved ever since, starting with the Construction Committee and now as a Board member!
7. What inspired you to get involved with HFH and join the board?
Helping families get into their own home I find simply amazing. I think it’s something that is taken for granted in this world and we forget how many people need homes and how important having your OWN home really is.
8. Is there anything else that you’d like to add?
I’m grateful and excited to be on this board!
Resource Development Committee Member
ReStore Committee Member
Board Member Biography:
1. Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Arvada, Colorado.
2. How long have you been living in the FM Area?
I moved to Minnesota in 2007 and currently live in Moorhead with my husband, Karsten, and our twin sons, Torben & Embrik.
3. Where did you go to school?
The University of Northern Colorado
4. What is your favorite part of your home?
Our dining room, where my family shares meals, plays games and talks about all sorts of things – big and small.
5. Tell us about what you were feeling when you became a homeowner for the first time.
It was an exciting time that felt like an important step establishing our lives and futures in this community.
6. What is your history with HFH?
I have volunteered on a couple of builds over the years in high school/college. I also completed a service project for Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore along with a team from the Fargo/Moorhead/West Fargo Chamber Leadership Program.
7. What inspired you to get involved with HFH and join the board?
I believe that safe, steady housing is a basic human right and that it can offer people and families a critical level of stability and help build a financial foundation. Our community has a substantial need in this area, and I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to an organization that is actively working to be part of the solution. The ReStore also speaks to some of my personal values around sustainability and affordability for furnishings and other home supplies.
House Production Committee Member
1. Where did you grow up?
Moorhead, MN
2. How long have you been living in the FM Area?
As long as I can remember!
3. Where did you go to school?
Class of 2017 at Moorhead High School, then M. Arch in 2022 at NDSU
4. What is your favorite part of your home?
My wife and I fit our home really well at this point in life. A bit “architectural” but, the scale of our home is my favorite part of it. The size of rooms and hallways, and even the 1950-sized kitchen, makes our home special to us.
5. Tell us about what you were feeling when you became a homeowner for the first time.
Prior to my current home, my first “house” purchase presented a balance of pride and an unnerving feeling. The commitment of ownership, both financially and otherwise, set the stage for me to push further in other aspects of life, knowing I had a “home base” to return too.
6. What is your history with HFH?
Until my recent appointment to the Board, my only direct experience was through a family member that worked for HFH in Sioux Falls years ago.
7. What inspired you to get involved with HFH and join the board?
The opportunity to use my strengths and knowledge to contribute to the mission of LAHFH.
Family Selection Committee Member
Executive Committee Member
Family Selection Committee Member
Not pictured:
Ken Roseth – Retired Business Consultant
Shane Brewer – AVP Senior Business Banker, Gate City Bank
Stephanie Vetter-Topp – Senior Resource Manager, Microsoft
Our Team
jim@lakeagassizhabitat.org
218-359-0360
218-359-0360
pete@lakeagassizhabitat.org
218-512-0109
218-512-0109
brianna@lakeagassizhabitat.org
218-512-0145
218-512-0145
carissa@lakeagassizhabitat.org
218-359-0814
218-359-0814
Kyle@lakeagassizhabitat.org
218-367-0839
218-367-0839
alli@lakeagassizhabitat.org
218-512-0388
218-359-0361
Not Pictured:
Brenden Kirby: ReStore Donation Truck Driver
Jerry Akerson: ReStore Associate
Travis Buzick: ReStore Associate
History
Lake Agassiz Habitat
for Humanity
Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity was started in 1991 by Phil Holtan, the campus pastor at Concordia College. The first home built was dedicated to the family on January 19, 1992. In the early years of LAHFH, there was no full-time staff, the Board of Directors and other dedicated volunteers took it upon themselves to make the dream of homeownership a reality for many families. LAHFH did and still does, rely heavily on the support of the community to succeed.
In 2006 the Habitat ReStore opened its doors. The ReStore not only offsets the costs of operating the organization, but also diverts almost 2 million pounds of reusable materials from local landfills every year.
As of December 2023, Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity has been able to build 79 homes locally and 46 internationally through our tithing program. Four more families will be served locally in 2025.
Through the commitment and dedication of volunteers, businesses, congregations, community organizations and staff, Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity will continue to serve families for years to come.
International Opportunities
The International Opportunity and Disaster Recovery Program
Interested in traveling with Habitat internationally? Habitat International has many trips that travel all over the world. Through Habitat World Village and/or Thrivent Builds Worldwide.
Learn More
