Habitat for Humanity, the Heart of Wyoming is heading east of Casper for its next project. The Natrona County nonprofit has secured land in Evansville for two homes, the first time the group has built in that town, program manager Kelly Cooper told Oil City News.
"They're on two lots next to each other on Williams Street, between 3rd and 4th streets," Cooper said. The spot is within walking distance of Evansville Elementary School and other town services.
"I'm really excited about it," she said. "It's the first time in a long time that we've had two lots."
That means two families could end up as next-door neighbors, with two homes going up on the same block.
How families get in
Habitat will open applications the first week of January 2027. The group's homeownership page lists the next application cycle as Jan. 2 to Jan. 29, 2027.
Before then, Habitat is holding four information sessions. The first was Oct. 6 at the Natrona County Library in Casper. The rest are still ahead, according to Habitat's session schedule:
- Saturday, Oct. 24, 10 to 11 a.m., Evansville Community Center, 71 Curtis St.
- Saturday, Oct. 24, 1 to 2 p.m., same location.
- Friday, Nov. 20, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., Crawford Room at the Natrona County Library, 307 E. 2nd St., Casper.
The sessions cover what Habitat looks for in an applicant, how to prepare for the application cycle and future build locations. Cooper said they're worth attending even for people who aren't interested in Evansville. "Even if you don't want to live in Evansville, the informational session could be beneficial if you're interested in Habitat," she said.
Habitat homes aren't given away. They're sold at no profit to families who qualify. According to Habitat's website, applicants must live or work in Natrona County and are judged on three things: their ability to repay an affordable mortgage, their current housing need and their willingness to partner with the group. Future homeowners put in 150 hours of "sweat equity," building their own home or others, helping at the office or serving as ambassadors. They also make a $500 cash down payment before closing.
For the January 2026 application cycle, Habitat's income guidelines ran from $24,084 to $48,167 a year for a one-person household, and from $34,405 to $68,810 for a family of four.
The zero-interest loan
The big draw is the loan. Habitat partners with the Wyoming Community Development Authority to offer a 30-year, zero-interest mortgage. "Our goal is to help people free up all of that money they would have spent on interest to help their children, help themselves, be prepared for emergency situations in the future," Cooper said. "It's a tremendous amount of money spent on interest."
Around one in 10 people in Natrona County lack affordable, safe housing, Cooper said.
Habitat's website says that once a family is accepted, building and buying a home can take 12 to 18 months, depending on funding, construction schedules and how quickly sweat equity hours get done. Habitat picks each house design based on the lot size and the family's needs.
Why it matters for Contractors
Two homes won't change the Natrona County market. But Habitat builds lean on local trades and suppliers in ways that don't always make the headlines.
Habitat says its homes stay affordable partly because they're built by volunteers, and that the cost of each home depends on its bedroom count and the current cost of building supplies. That makes donated or discounted materials, equipment time and skilled help on the trickier work especially valuable. Contractors and suppliers who want to help their community, or get their name in front of it, can reach Kelly Cooper at the Habitat office in Casper at 307-234-1348.
A new build in a new town also means new site questions. Excavation, concrete, utility hookups and inspections in Evansville will be new territory for this Habitat affiliate, and subs who already work in town know the ground.
For contractors with employees who are struggling to find a home they can afford, the information sessions are worth passing along. A zero-interest mortgage can put homeownership within reach for workers who'd never qualify at a bank, and keeping skilled workers housed locally helps everyone in the trades.