Wild Rivers Habitat for Humanity

Serving Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Polk, Price, Taylor, Rusk, and Washburn Counties in Wisconsin

Build Hope

Your support impacts every area of a family’s life—and your generosity ripples across neighborhoods, communities, and generations. Help Wild Rivers Habitat for Humanity create safe, affordable housing across 9 counties in Northwest Wisconsin. Donate today and help us build more than homes. Help us build futures. Every gift—no matter the size—builds strength, stability, and self-reliance in Northwest Wisconsin. Will you build hope and donate today?

9 Counties. 28 Years Strong.

Wild Rivers Habitat for Humanity has been building homes and repairing hope across Northwest Wisconsin since 1997. We serve Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Polk, Price, Rusk, Taylor, and Washburn Counties—where the need for affordable housing is high, and the resources are often scarce. To date, we have: 

• Built 52 new homes with three more slated for completion in 2025-2026
• Completed over 450 home repairs and counting
• Created opportunities for families, seniors, and veterans to live in safety, stability, and dignity

Community Challenges

In our nine counties: Home prices have soared, making it challenging for many to afford housing. Available housing stock is low—especially for low-income or aging households. Too many are paying more than 50% of their income on housing.

Median home prices vary across our counties, with some areas experiencing significant increases:

• Bayfield County: Median listing price of $429,000 as of February 2025 
• Burnett County: Median listing price of $300,000 in February 2025 
• Douglas County: Median listing price of $219,500 as of February 2025 
• Polk County: Median value of owner-occupied housing units at $241,200 (2019–2023) 
• Rusk County: Median listing home price of $195,000 in February 2025 
• Taylor County: Median listing home price of $289,900 in February 2025 
• Washburn County: Median listing home price of $300,000 in February 2025 

Wisconsin's rural homeless population increased from 2,938 individuals in 2023 to 3,201 in 2024, the highest number recorded since 2017. Statewide, over 5,000 individuals were experiencing homelessness in 2024, marking a significant rise from previous years .

How We Help

We take a holistic, community-centered approach to addressing the housing crisis in Northwest Wisconsin. Our work goes far beyond building homes—we create opportunities, forge partnerships, and foster lasting impact.

Volunteer Engagement - We host volunteers annually—including:

• AmeriCorps members and NCCC teams
• Youth and student service groups
• Corporate volunteer teams
• Community members looking to give back

These volunteers work side-by-side with our staff and partner families, gaining skills, building relationships, and strengthening the fabric of our communities.

Education & Workforce Development - We believe in building capacity—not just homes. That’s why we offer:

• Homeowner education on budgeting, maintenance, and sustainability
• Construction internships and job shadowing opportunities for high school and college students
• Girls Build summer camps to introduce young women to the trades
• Certified community health and housing workers trained to support long-term stability

We’re investing in people as much as we are in property.

Community Partnerships & Advocacy - We know we can’t do it alone. That’s why we:

• Host local Housing Summits to bring together stakeholders, decision-makers, and concerned citizens
• Collaborate with other nonprofits, schools, and government agencies to leverage resources and expand our impact
• Advocate for policy and funding solutions that benefit rural communities and address root causes of housing instability

When we work together, we build more than homes—we build community.

Where Your Donation Goes

In the past few years, your support has:

• Launch the Housing Plus Program, linking housing with health and financial stability.
• Expand home repair and accessibility services for seniors and veterans.
• Build with modular and panelized systems to reduce costs and increase efficiency.
• Engage youth through Girls Build camps, job shadow days, and construction internships.
• Partner with the WI CHW Apprenticeship Program to better support residents' health needs.
• Host events like Rock the Island on Madeline Island to revitalize public spaces and homes.

As a self-funded affiliate, your donation stays local and fuels real, tangible impact.