COVID-19 Response and Updates

Updated: 10/9/2020
Now, as much as ever, we are seeing how important it is to have a safe, stable place to call home. With growing concern around COVID-19, it seems like we are facing new challenges every day. But, we know that together we will get through these difficult times.

We also know that many members of our community are going to be facing unexpected hardships and growing need in the coming days, weeks and months. Our top priority during this time is the health and safety of our staff, the people we serve and our community. Because of this, we know we have to make some difficult changes to the way we work. With your support, these changes will be temporary and we will be able to get back to business as usual as soon as possible.

We will continue to monitor local and national updates on COVID-19, including guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health officials. Because this situation is evolving, our plan of action will continue to change as well.

Please check this page for the latest updates on our COVID-19 response plan and precautions.

Jump to:

Office Restrictions
Habitat ReStore
Volunteer Program
Homeownership Program
Home Improvement Programs
Construction Program
Brew Haha
Women’s Power Luncheon
Global Village Trips
Tax Prep Services

Office Restrictions

Effective June 16, 2020, we will be accepting some visitors on a case by case basis by appointment only. At the time of your appointment, park in a designated visitor parking spot, stay in your vehicle and call 402-457-5657 to check in with the front desk. A Habitat Omaha staff member will meet you at your car. If asked to enter the office, you will be required to wear a face mask and maintain proper social distancing.

Effective April 3, 2020, we will no longer allow any visitors at the Habitat Omaha office. All other restrictions remain in place at this time.

Effective March 17, 2020, the Habitat Omaha office at 1701 N. 24th Street will be closed to the general public. All meetings and other inquires will be held over the phone or by video conference. If you have a meeting planned with a Habitat Omaha staff member and have not been contacted about rescheduling, please reach us by phone or email. If you have questions about this policy or are unsure who to contact, please call us at 402-457-5657 or email us at habitat@habitatomaha.org.

Omaha’s Habitat ReStore

Effective June 16, 2020, both Omaha Habitat ReStore locations are accepting donation drop-offs. The South 24th Street location is accepting donations Monday – Satday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The West Maple location is accepting donations Monday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Effective June 5, 2020, both Omaha Habitat ReStore locations are open to the public. All customers, staff, and volunteers are required to wear a mask inside the stores. Masks will be available for a $1 donation to Habitat for Humanity of Omaha. Visit omahahabitatrestore.org for more information. For donation drop off and pick up questions, please call: 402.934.1033 and select option 1.

Effective April 27, 2020, online shopping through ReStore’s e-Store will be available again. Zero-contact curbside pick-ups will resume Friday, May 1. Health and safety precautions will be strictly enforced. Both physical stores will remain closed for in-person shopping and donations at this time.

Effective April 17, 2020, we are extending the temporary pause on donation pick-ups and sales through the e-Store as well keeping our stores closed to the public at this time. We are continuing to assess the situation and update our plans as appropriate.

Effective April 3, 2020, donation pick-ups and all sales through the e-Store will be temporarily paused through April 18 at the earliest. On or before that date, we will reassess the situation and update our plans. Both Omaha ReStore locations will remain closed to shoppers and donation drop-offs as well. At this time, our Deconstruction Program will continue with new safety measures in place. If you have questions about a current Deconstruction Program project or would like to learn more about the program for a future project, please contact Molly Toberer, Deconstruction Program Associate, at mtoberer@habitatomaha.org or 402-884-6393.

Effective March 17, 2020, both Omaha Habitat ReStore locations will be closed to the public. This includes shoppers and donation drop-offs. We will update our plan as new developments unfold.

Volunteer Program

Effective October 9, we are recruiting core volunteers primarily to help in our ReStores. We ask core volunteers to commit to 8+ hours of service a month, but what you do during your volunteer time is up to you! A few areas where we could use helping hands are: working with staff to process donations, assisting customers, and upcycling or DIY-ing furniture items. To learn more, please reach out to our Volunteer Team at volunteer@habitatomaha.org.

Enhanced safety procedures are in place, and volunteers are asked to use caution and practice social distancing at all times.

Effective June 22, 2020, critical core and skilled volunteers who need very little oversight are now being invited to serve on the build site, at the office and in the ReStores on a limited, case by case basis. Enhanced safety procedures are in place for all volunteers and staff. We are currently recruiting volunteers skilled in the following areas: IT systems implementation, mortgage processing, new home construction, home renovations, and plumbing and electrical work (with an active license).

At this time, we are not accepting general volunteers or volunteer registration through our website.

Our June 27 Rock the Block has been cancelled–no decision about rescheduling this event has been made at this time. Additionally, our Summer Youth Volunteer Program has been cancelled. We hope to start the program this fall–more details to come.

Effective April 2, 2020, we have cancelled our Spring Framing Frenzy and May 17 Rock the Block. We hope to reschedule these events later in the year and will communicate updates as new plans are put in place.

Effective March 17, 2020, we will no longer be accepting any volunteers in the office, at either Habitat ReStore location or on construction sites. Our volunteers are essential to the work we do. We are grateful for their spirit and desire to serve even during these difficult times. However, at this time our first priority is safety. We will reevaluate the situation and update our plan as new developments unfold. If you have questions about our volunteer program, please contact Jenny Schroeder, Volunteer Services Manager, at jschroeder@habitatomaha.org or 402-884-5782.

Homeownership Program

Effective July 27, 2020, we will not be accepting applications to the Homeownership Program for the remainder of the year. Those interested in applying are encouraged to check back in early 2021 for more details.

Effective June 30, 2020, sweat equity activities are on hold for the remainder of the year. Some limited opportunities will be available to allow homebuyers the ability to help with the construction of their future homes. If you have questions or concerns about your sweat equity hours please contact Carly Buskirk, Program Associate, at cbuskirk@habitatomaha.org or 402-884-7820.

All Homeownership Program classes will be held online for the remainder of the year. If you have questions about classes, please contact David Klitz, Program Specialist, at dklitz@habitatomaha.org or 402-884-5979.

Current Habitat Omaha homeowners who incur financial hardships during this time and are concerned about making their mortgage payments are encouraged to reach out to Nicky Sullivan, Homeownership Success Coordinator, at nsullivan@habitatomaha.org or 402-884-5716.

Effective March 16, 2020, we will close our current application cycle. Individuals and families who are interested in applying should call 402-457-5657 or email habitat@habitatomaha.org to ask to be added to our application wait list. We will notify those on the list when we are accepting applications again.

At this time, we have suspended all Sweat Equity activities for individual and families in our Homeownership Program. In an effort to promote the health and safety of program participants and our staff, we will not have any Sweat Equity opportunities on the construction site or at either Habitat ReStore location. We will reevaluate the situation and update our plan as new developments unfold. If you have questions or concerns about your Sweat Equity hours please contact Carly Buskirk, Program Associate, at cbuskirk@habitatomaha.org or 402-884-7820.

Until further notice, all Homeownership Program classes will be held online or will be postponed. A member of the Homeownership Team will contact program participants with more information. If you have questions, please contact David Klitz, Program Specialist, at dklitz@habitatomaha.org or 402-884-5979.

Current Habitat Omaha homeowners who incur financial hardships during this time and are concerned about making their mortgage payments are encouraged to reach out to Nicky Sullivan, Homeownership Success Coordinator, at nsullivan@habitatomaha.org or 402-884-5716.

Home Improvement Programs

Effective June 16, 2020, a drop box is available at our office for those who wish to return an application in person. Currently, our office remains closed to visitors.

Effective March 17, 2020, we will temporarily stop accepting in-person applications for our Home Repair Loan Program, Flood Repair Program, Veteran Repair Program and Weatherization Services.

Those who have questions about applying to our Home Repair, Flood Repair or Veteran Repair programs should call 402-457-5657 and press 2 or email homerepair@habitatomaha.org. All applications are available at habitatomaha.org/programs/home-repair and can be submitted through email at homerepair@habitatomaha.org or mailed in to our office for processing.

Those who have questions about applying for Weatherization Services should call 402-457-5657 and press 7 or email weatherization@habitatomaha.org. Weatherization applications are available at habitatomaha.org/programs/home-repair and can be submitted through email at weatherization@habitatomaha.org or mailed in to our office for processing.

At this time, we will continue accepting Emergency Home Repair Loan applications. To learn more about qualifying repairs, visit habitatomaha.org/programs/home-repair. To help ensure the safety of clients and contractors, all parties involved will need to pass our initial health screening and agree to wearing proper PPE during the time of visits and repairs. If you have questions or would like to apply for an Emergency Home Repair Loan, please call 402-457-5657 and press 2 for Home Repair or email your completed application or questions to homerepair@habitatomaha.org.

To help ensure the safety of our staff, contractors and clients, we are suspending all Home Improvement Program projects that include interior work. Some exterior projects may be able to continue at this time. We will continue to evaluate the situation and update our plan. If you have questions about a current project or application, please call us at 402-457-5657 and ask to speak to someone on our Home Improvement Team.

Construction Program

Effective April 27, 2020, limited construction operations will resume with additional safety protocols in place. Staff will work in set crews of two with each pair practicing enhanced safety and sanitation procedures.

Effective April 17, 2020, we have extended our shut down of construction operations at this time. We are continuing to assess the situation and update our plan as appropriate.

Effective April 4, 2020, our construction operations will be shut down through April 18 at the earliest. At that time, we will reassess the situation and update our plan accordingly. During this shut down some key “no-contact” activities, including lot maintenance, will continue.

Brew Haha

Effective April 29, 2020, Brew Haha 2020 was moved from September to June 13 -20. Instead of an in-person food and brew festival, we invited the public to join us for a week-long celebration from the comfort of their homes. With the purchase of a $50 event ticket, “attendees” received a $25 gift card to the Brew Haha partner restaurant or brewery of their choice and were entered into prize drawings the week of the event. With each ticket sold, $25 went to the selected restaurant or brewery and $25 was donated to support Habitat Omaha’s mission. Because our restaurant and brewery partners have been incredibly generous in their support of our mission for the past 14 years, we were honored to return the favor during their time of need.

Learn more at habitatomaha.org/brewhaha.

Women’s Power Luncheon

Effective August 25, 2020 – As we have been monitoring developments with COVID-19, the safety of our staff, partners and the community has remained our top priority. Because the situation is not continuing to improve, we have made the decision to cancel our 2020 Women’s Power Luncheon. All tickets will be refunded. We are looking forward to celebrating Annette Smith, Sara Boyd, Alec Gorynsky, Anayeli Martinez Real, Angel Starks and Melissa Steffes next year during our 2021 Women’s Power Luncheon, scheduled for April 29, 2021, and hope to see you there.

Effective March 15, 2020, our 2020 Women’s Power Luncheon will be held on November 5, 2020. Because our top priority is the safety of our staff, partners and the community, we have made the decision to postpone this event. Tickets can be purchased at habitatomaha.org/womenspowerlunch. All tickets that have already been purchased and sponsorships committed to this year’s Women’s Power Luncheon will be honored at the event later this year.

The awareness generated and funds raised through this event are vital in helping us reach our goals of building 50 houses that will be sold to 50 first-time homeowners and completing more than 150 repair projects that will help local families maintain the health and safety of their homes this year. If you have questions about the event, your ticket purchase or event sponsorships, please reach out to Kathy Wells, Development Associate – Special Events, at kwells@habitatomaha.org or 402-884-5957.

Global Village Trips

Effective April 25, 2020, Habitat for Humanity International made the decision to suspend all Global Village builds through December 2020. Because of this, our 2020 Global Village trip to Kenya has been suspended. All registered participants will have the option to transfer trip funds to a 2021 trip or receive a refund.

Effective April 10, 2020, we have made the decision to cancel our September 26, 2020 Global Village trip to Honduras. At this time, we are planning to reschedule the trip in 2021. All registered participants will have the option to transfer their deposit to the 2021 trip or receive a refund.

Free Tax Prep Services

Effective March 16, 2020, Omaha EITC Coalition has suspended their free tax prep services through March 30. For more information about Omaha EITC Coalition’s tax services and to check for updates please visit fhasinc.org/tax-services.html.

Despite these changes, we remain fully committed to our mission and our staff. We will continue to pay all employees their regular wages and will move forward on our homes in progress.

If you were planning on volunteering, shopping at Habitat ReStore or supporting Habitat Omaha over the next few weeks, or if this situation has called you to help others in our community, we invite you to support our mission by making a donation today.

Habitat Omaha has always been driven by community support. With your help, we know that this support will continue because of our shared belief that everyone deserves a safe, affordable place to call home.