APPLETON, Wis. (Jan. 6, 2026) — Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity, a leader in affordable housing solutions, is bringing together business leaders on Thursday, Jan. 8 to dedicate a new home to a Habitat family for the new year. Not only is this home a new start for a local family, but it is also the first of several home dedications Fox Cities Habitat will celebrate in 2026, with the help of local business leaders.
The Fox Cities Chamber 2025 Economic Outlook Survey showed that a lack of affordable housing was a critical issue for both Fox Cities residents and business leaders in being able to recruit and maintain a robust workforce. A 2023 study projected the need for nearly 18,000 new housing units over the next 10 years to support the region’s growth. However, rising costs have made it increasingly difficult for developers to build and buyers to access these much-needed homes.
“The average home today is about $300,000, and that is far beyond what a first-time home buyer is typically able to afford,” explained John Weyenberg, Fox Cities Habitat CEO. “Fox Cities Habitat is trying to help open some of those doors for our community, but we can’t do it without the monetary and volunteer support of our area’s businesses. Through working together with nonprofits, community members and business leaders, we will be able to tackle this problem head on and provide a decent place for people to afford to live in the greater Fox Cities area.”
Participants in the Leader Build event include major corporations such as:
- Miron Construction
- Miller Electric
- U.S. Venture/U.S. Lubricants
- SECURA Insurance
- Bank of Kaukauna
- Faith Technologies Incorporated
- Encapsys
- CMD Corporate
- Crane Engineering
- Alliance Church of Appleton
- NEW Capital Fund, LP
- Katapult, LLC
- Community First Credit Union
- Mike Weller and Associates, LLC
- Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity
“Faith Technologies Incorporated has long been headquartered in Menasha, Wis., and we have a large workforce, not just in the Fox Cities, but throughout the U.S.,” said Rob Messina, executive vice president of Faith Technologies Incorporated. “Much of our work focuses on developing innovative solutions and redefining what’s possible, and I believe that is the significance of this Leader Build with Fox Cities Habitat. When we come together, we’re able to redefine possibilities for this family and for our region’s future.”
Families in need are not just given Habitat for Humanity homes; they must contribute sweat equity in the building process, learn to maintain their home and financially sustain it. Habitat for Humanity builds and sells homes for no profit, and families repay an affordable, zero-interest mortgage on those homes. This is made possible by the efforts of supporters, donors, volunteers and community leaders who believe in Habitat for Humanity’s mission to provide everyone with a decent and affordable place to live.
The Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity’s work is made possible through many generous community sponsors. To learn more about the Greater Fox Cities Habitat, or how you can donate or volunteer, please call 920-954-8702 or visit foxcitieshabitat.org.
