STAR, Idaho — Affordable homes are hard to come by in the Treasure Valley, but the Boise Valley Habitat for Humanity is an organization that is trying to ease that burden for families in need.
On Tuesday, the organization held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new affordable home in Star.
This is the 80th home Habitat for Humanity has built in the Treasure Valley and the first home they built in Star. The organization partnered with Hubble Homes to get the property. Habitat for Humanity was at the lot Tuesday afternoon where the Aldulaimi family's new forever home will be built.
To celebrate the beginning of this journey, stakeholders, community leaders and supporters of Habitat for Humanity gathered to mark this milestone.
It was also a chance for the family to get their feet on the ground and see what their new home will shape up to look like.
Janessa Chastain, the CEO for the Boise Valley Habitat for Humanity, said she is excited to start this journey and get this family into their new home.
"There is not a city that has been untouched by the changes in housing here in the state of Idaho, and especially in the Treasure Valley,” Chastain said. “So, this is a way for us to say that we see this need, and we want to be a part of helping solve it.”
Aladdin Aldulaimi and his family have been through a lot. Aladdin served in the U.S. military in Iraq as an interpreter. During his time in service, he lost his leg because of an explosion. He and his wife, Raghad Alhilal, said they are glad to be able to begin building their new forever home.
“Very excited, very happy, because finally we found the dream house,” Alhilal said. “We feel stable and safe for my family.”
Watch more Local News:
See the latest news from around the Treasure Valley and the Gem State in our YouTube playlist:
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET NEWS FROM KTVB:
Download the KTVB News Mobile App
Apple iOS: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Watch news reports for FREE on YouTube: KTVB YouTube channel
Stream Live for FREE on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching 'KTVB'.
Stream Live for FREE on FIRE TV: Search ‘KTVB’ and click ‘Get’ to download.