Flipping for Habitat: A Small Idea Making a Big Impact on Affordable Housing

A simple idea can often blossom into a truly impactful initiative if provided with the right support, and dedication. That is exactly the case for the Flipping for Habitat event in eastern Iowa. 

Bringing together REALTORS® to raise awareness and funds for Habitat for Humanity, the event focuses on creativity, collaboration and a shared commitment to affordable housing. 

The annual event, which has raised nearly $20,000 each of its first three years, started out as just a small idea, that is until Kelly Kohlhaas shared the thought with East Central Iowa Association of REALTORS® chief executive officer Melissa Groth. 

“This project, it's an idea that I had for a while, and wanted to do, but it was in the back of my mind,” Kohlhaas said “Melissa overheard me talking about it. She helped really make it come to life and make it happen.” 

From there, a small committee from ECIAR began to plan the event, which takes unwanted, unused, or soon-to-be disposed of items and transforms them into something new and usable. 

“The idea is landfill diversion, keeping things out of landfills and bringing life to things that would have been in the trash or disposed of,” Kohlhaas said. “We’re taking the items, upcycling them and then auctioning them off during the event.”

The auction creates a competition between members. Whomever's item raises the most money is declared the winner. 

“It’s really fun,” Kohlhaas said. “One of our REALTOR® members took a dated hutch piece and turned it into a coffee and wine bar. Another took an entertainment center from the ‘90s that wasn’t super desirable anymore, and turned it into a dog bed and storage space.” 

While the members have fun repurposing their items, the cause the event supports is never far from their minds. 

“It’s really motivating for REALTORS® in the area, for affordable housing to be in our area,” Kohlhaas said. “It’s motivating to help raise funds for an organization that we know will directly impact that.” 

In fact, the Dubuque/Jackson Counties Habitat for Humanity recently began work on a pocket neighborhood of about 14 homes, Kohlhaas said. 

“We know the funds we raise are a drop in the bucket, but it’s really fun to see these projects happening right in front of our faces,” Kohlhaas said. “To know that we’ve been part of that even a little bit.” 

Though raising funds is a top priority for the lively event, raising awareness of Habitat’s reach is just as important. 

“Habitat has strong brand recognition, but people don’t always know what they’re doing in their local community,” Kohlhaas said. “At the event, we have an opportunity to show the homes Habitat is currently building and promote the ReStore by showing examples of the materials available there. They have recycled paints, flooring, and cabinets that can be purchased on an ongoing basis. It’s good for investors and others in the room to see another place where they can get materials while also supporting a mission that helps provide affordable housing in our community.”

For Kohlhaas, the event comes down to promoting home, whatever that might mean to fellow REALTORS® and community members in eastern Iowa. 

“Home is a really important part,” she said. “Whether you own or not, being safe and secure is important. Kids have much more success in life if they have a safe and secure place to go to.” 

Kohlhaas encourages her fellow REALTORS® to volunteer and seek out opportunities to make a difference in their communities. 

“It's so rewarding to be able to see what an impact these organizations have,” she said. “To be able to do even a small part that can contribute to that. And be sure to talk about things you want to do or accomplish, you never know who will be around that may also want to jump on board to make it happen.”