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On World Habitat Day, the dream of affordable housing for those who inspire our community took a significant step toward reality. A celebratory groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Housing for Educators at Rising Moon, marking the official start of construction for an innovative new development.

This milestone is the result of a powerful collaboration between Careers in Construction Colorado, Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity, and Widefield School District 3 (WSD3). The Rising Moon development will feature a total of 41 new homes, 14 of which will be specifically dedicated to educators and staff in WSD3. This is at no cost to the district!

For the district, this project is a strategic move to address a critical need. Affordable housing is central to the effort to attract and retain high-quality teachers and staff, which is the foundation of student success.

An Innovative Solution to a Real Challenge

WSD3 Superintendent Aaron Hoffman emphasized the project's significance to the district's personnel.

"This project will provide educators with an affordable, welcoming place to call home right here in the community they serve," said Hoffman. "It’s an innovative solution to a very real challenge, and it shows our Widefield School District 3 staff members just how much we value them.”

The partnership is also fostering a deep sense of purpose for local students. Renee Zentz shared that seven schools in the county will help build houses for Rising Moon, including the homes being constructed by students at the district's innovative Manufacturing Industry Learning Lab (The Mill).

“The home build projects provide a sense of purpose and belonging to our youth,” said Zentz, Careers in Construction Colorado president. 

Celebrating a Vision That Became Reality

A substantial amount of praise was directed toward former Superintendent Scott Campbell, whose initial vision set this groundbreaking partnership into motion.

Campbell’s foresight began in 2019 when he transformed an old potato chip factory into The Mill, which now houses robust construction, cabinetry, and welding programs. Back then, as students began building houses, he started talks to find a place where these student-built homes could be placed to benefit the community and WSD3 educators.

Stability and Sweat Equity

The core mission of the project is to provide the long-term stability that comes with homeownership.

“Affordable homeownership is about health, mental and physical, a place you can come to every night and afford utilities and mortgage, a place for stability," said Kris Lewis, Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity CEO.

Future homeowners will contribute to the project by putting in 200 hours of "sweat equity" into their homes, a fundamental component of the Habitat for Humanity model that fosters a deep connection between residents and their new community.

This groundbreaking is more than a construction start; it is a celebration of community investment, innovative thinking, and a shared commitment to ensuring that those who educate and inspire WSD3 students also have an affordable, stable place to call home.

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Thank you to the following dignitaries for participating in the groundbreaking ceremony: George Hess III, Careers in Construction Colorado board chair; Renee Zentz, Careers in Construction Colorado president; Joe DesJardin, Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity board president; Kris Lewis, Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity CEO; El Paso County Commissioner Cory Applegate; Aaron Hoffman, Superintendent of Widefield School District 3; El Paso County Commissioner Bill Wysong; Greg Fisher, Widefield School District 3 Board of Education president

News Coverage

• KOAA "Widefield School District 3 to Build Homes for Staff Members to Buy"
• FOX 21 "Groundbreaking Held for Widefield Teacher Housing"