Habitat partnership connects housing with better health through fourth Evansville home

Habitat for Humanity of Evansville celebrated the launch of its fourth home through the Building Homes and Health initiative on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 1000 N. Third Ave. in Evansville. The partnership brings an unusual group of collaborators to the work of affordable housing: Deaconess Health System, Indiana University School of Medicine-Evansville, the University of Evansville and the University of Southern Indiana.

Established in 2021, the initiative recognizes something increasingly important in conversations about community health: Where people live can affect how healthy they are. That connection can be seen locally.

The 2026 Greater Evansville Health Survey, commissioned by the Welborn Baptist Foundation using data collected in 2025, found that renters were six times more likely than homeowners to report housing problems such as pests or mold that caused health problems in their households. The survey also found that health-related housing concerns were more prevalent among lower-income households.

Welborn’s survey identifies affordable, safe and stable housing as a factor supporting well-being. Housing costs can also affect health indirectly when families have to make trade-offs between paying for housing, medical care and nutritious food.

Against that backdrop, Building Homes and Health connects housing construction with organizations that typically approach community well-being from different directions.

Deaconess Health System has funded four Habitat homes through the initiative, while students from IU School of Medicine-Evansville, UE and USI have contributed volunteer hours toward construction.

“For families, a safe and affordable home provides the foundation for better health, educational success, and financial stability,” Habitat for Humanity of Evansville Executive Director Beth Folz said in the announcement.

Students’ participation also gives future health care and other professionals an opportunity to encounter some of the conditions outside a doctor’s office that can influence the well-being of patients and families.

Mary Kessler, acting executive vice president for academic affairs and provost at UE, said students are able to learn alongside community partners while contributing to something with a lasting impact on a local family.

Habitat for Humanity of Evansville works with lower-income families seeking to become homeowners in Vanderburgh and Posey counties.

According to Habitat, applicants must have household income at or below 80% of the area median income and demonstrate a need for housing. Participants must also contribute 300 hours of sweat equity, attend homeownership classes and demonstrate the ability to pay a 25-year, no-interest mortgage.

The fourth Building Homes and Health project continues a collaboration that has now funded four Habitat homes while introducing students in medicine and other disciplines to housing as part of the larger picture of community health.

For information about Habitat for Humanity of Evansville’s homeownership program, visit evansvillehabitat.org.