More Than a House: How Habitat for Humanity of York County Helped Build a New Beginning

The road to homeownership can be long and winding, especially in a housing market where prices continue to rise faster than wages for many local families. For countless individuals, owning a home can feel more like a distant dream than an achievable goal.

That is where Habitat for Humanity of York County continues to make a lasting difference.

Through affordable homeownership opportunities, financial education, and hands-on support, Habitat is doing more than building homes. The organization is walking alongside families to create stability, gain confidence, and step into futures they once thought were out of reach.

For new homeowner Ashton Starr, closing on her home represented far more than a change of address.

“This home means stability, peace, and knowing we have something that we own,” Starr said.

But the journey to that moment required commitment, perseverance, and patience. Habitat homeowners complete a detailed process that often takes between 18 months and two years from application to closing. Families must meet eligibility requirements, complete homebuyer education and financial literacy courses, and contribute sweat equity hours by helping build homes alongside volunteers.

For Starr, that process made the final result even more meaningful.

“It wasn’t just, ‘Here’s your house,’” she said. “I had to show up, learn, put in the work, and really be present through every step. From the classes to the build days, it made me appreciate what it truly takes to build something from the ground up.”

Watching the walls rise and seeing each stage of construction unfold left a lasting impression.

“To see my home come to life piece by piece, it hit different,” Starr said. “Like, this is really mine, and I helped make it happen.”

Beyond the physical structure, Starr says the experience gave her something equally valuable: knowledge.

“I gained knowledge, confidence, and a different level of discipline,” she said. “I learned so much about homeownership. It gave me a sense of pride, like I earned this.”

She also credits Habitat’s education programs for ensuring families are prepared not only to purchase a home, but to sustain it for years to come.

“They didn’t just hand over keys. They made sure I was equipped,” Starr said. “The classes, the financial education, the expectations, all of that prepared me to actually sustain this, not just have it.”

The impact of homeownership extends beyond one person. For Starr, the experience has become a lesson for her family and a foundation for future generations.

“I want them to see that anything worth having isn’t easy,” she said. “It takes work, consistency, and faith. I want them to understand that we don’t just wait for opportunities. We prepare for them and step into them. And most importantly, I want them to feel what stability looks like, so they can carry that into their own lives one day.”

She added, “They set a foundation so this isn’t just for right now. It is something I can build on and pass down.”

When asked what she would say to the volunteers, donors, and supporters who helped along the way, Starr’s gratitude was immediate.

“I want them to know this wasn’t just building a house. You helped change our life,” she said. “Every hour, every donation, every nail, it all mattered. You gave my family something we’ll carry forever, and that’s something I don’t take lightly. We’re truly grateful.”

For Habitat for Humanity of York County, stories like Starr’s are a reminder that homeownership is about more than walls and a roof. It is about dignity. It is about opportunity. It is about legacy.

And sometimes, it is the first step toward everything that comes next.

Written by Karl Vogl ll

VELUX Brings Living Places Sustainable Housing Concept to the U.S. in New Partnership with Habitat for Humanity of York County

The first application of the Living Places concept outside Europe will showcase how reimagining home design can improve health, comfort and affordability for American families

FORT MILL, S.C. – February 24, 2026 – VELUX, the global leader in skylights and daylight solutions, announced today the expansion of its pioneering Living Places concept to the United States by partnering with the Habitat for Humanity of York County, which will build multiple homes that prove healthy, energy-efficient, high-quality housing can also be sustainable and affordable.

The initiative lays the foundation for a scalable model that VELUX aims to create a ripple effect nationwide. During the first initiative in York County, the first U.S. Living Places–inspired builds will be completed on Lige Street in Rock Hill, with three to five Habitat for Humanity homes that each prioritize sustainability and affordability.

“At Habitat for Humanity of York County, we believe everyone deserves a decent place to live, and that includes homes that are healthy, efficient, and built for the future,” said Tim Veeck, Chief Executive Officer of Habitat for Humanity of York County. “This partnership with VELUX allows us to learn from proven international models while setting a new standard for sustainable, affordable homeownership in the United States.”

“We’re proud to partner with Habitat for Humanity of York County through our Living Places initiative to advance affordable, healthy, and sustainable housing,” said Stephan Moyon, president of VELUX America/VELUX Canada. “Together, we’re developing a model that recognizes that true affordability includes both construction and ongoing utility costs. This partnership demonstrates that features like skylights can play a meaningful role in even the most cost-effective housing, helping ensure everyone has access to better living.”

The VELUX Living Places initiative was developed by the VELUX Group, EFFEKT architects, and Artelia engineers to create sustainable, healthy, and affordable housing. Launched in 2023 in Copenhagen, the initiative challenges the building industry by demonstrating that low-carbon, high-quality homes can be built today using existing technology. It draws on five core principles for residential construction: healthy, shared, simple, adaptive and scalable.

Since its launch, Living Places projects have been announced for development in several markets, including the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Ukraine. The U.S. expansion comes at a time when the country faces significant challenges in the built environment, including rising home prices, high regulatory costs, and a growing shortage of affordable options.

“The collaboration with Habitat for Humanity of York County represents an important step toward rethinking how American homes can be built for both people and planet. At VELUX, we believe that healthier, more efficient buildings are essential to improving quality of life. With our Living Places building principles, we want to demonstrate that better homes can be built today using existing technologies and widely available materials,” said Moyon.

For more information about the Living Places concept, visit: buildforlife.velux.com.

#   #   #

ABOUT VELUX

VELUX manufactures skylight systems and is one of the strongest brands in the global building materials sector. VELUX products are available nationwide through home centers, building material suppliers, lumber yards and independent door, window or roofing retailers. Consumers can locate local suppliers and installers and access information on skylight selection and the benefits of bringing more natural light and fresh air into the home by visiting veluxusa.com. VELUX skylights are made in America in Greenwood, South Carolina, and Wells, Maine.

ABOUT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF YORK COUNTY

Habitat for Humanity of York County is a nonprofit organization that seeks to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope. HFHYC is dedicated to addressing disparities and creating equitable opportunities in the housing market through constructing, rehabilitating, and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing financial literacy education and access to resources to ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive.