Build something incredible with us in 2026:
Women Build 2026 is officially open for team and individual builder registration.
This October, more than 200 women and allies will come together across Lake and McHenry Counties to build strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable homeownership. Whether you’re returning for another year or joining us for the first time, we invite you to claim your place on the build site.
Build days are available on a first-come, first-served basis and fill quickly.
Reserve Your Date
Complete the form below to select your preferred build day(s). Once submitted, a member of our team will follow up with registration details and next steps.
We can’t wait to build with you.
Let’s see what we can build. Together.
What is Women Build?
A period of fundraising leading up to a three week-long home-building event. Women builders work on homes which will be occupied by women-led families upon completion.
Each year, hundreds of women and allies step onto Habitat build sites to raise funds, learn new skills, and help create safe, stable homes across Lake and McHenry counties. No construction experience is needed, just a willingness to show up, work together, and make an impact.
More than a build day, Women Build is about connection, confidence, leadership, and creating lasting change in our communities.
How do I get involved?
- Reserve your spot at Women Build 2026
- Become a sponsor of Women Build
- Donate lunch or refreshments for Women Build days in Lake and McHenry County
Woodstock
- Thursdays
Oct 8 (Sold Out) • Oct 15 • Oct 22 - Fridays
Oct 9 • Oct 16 (Sold Out) • Oct 23 - Saturdays
Oct 10 • Oct 17 (Sold Out) • Oct 24
Round Lake Beach
- Thursdays
Oct 8 • Oct 15 • Oct 22 (Sold Out) - Fridays
Oct 9 • Oct 16 • Oct 23 - Saturdays
Oct 10 • Oct 17 • Oct 24
Check out a few highlights from Women Build 2024
Why women?
Homeownership is a powerful tool for economic stability and empowerment, particularly for women. By providing women with the opportunity to own homes, communities can foster environments that support gender equality, financial independence, and overall community well-being.
Achieving homeownership and the security that comes with it can be far more difficult for women to realize than for men in similar situations. Here are just a few reasons why:
- Men earn more on average than women, resulting in access to higher credit, loans with better terms, and higher-quality homes, and safer neighborhoods.
- 80% of single-parent households are headed by women and women are twice as likely to be the primary caretaker for an elderly parent. This can limit a woman’s ability to dedicate the necessary time to obtaining and maintaining consistent employment.
- Single women are denied mortgages at higher rates than single men despite the fact that studies show that women are more reliable at paying back mortgages.
Homeownership opportunities for women are essential!
1. Economic Empowerment
Homeownership is a significant driver of wealth accumulation. For women, owning a home means building equity, which can be leveraged for future financial needs such as education, retirement, or starting a business. Studies have shown that women who own homes are more likely to achieve long-term financial stability compared to those who rent. This stability is especially critical for single mothers, who often face higher financial pressures and are at greater risk of poverty .
2. Gender Equality
Investing in homeownership opportunities for women contributes to closing the gender wealth gap. Historically, women have faced systemic barriers in accessing property and credit. By prioritizing policies and programs that facilitate homeownership for women, communities can address these inequities and promote gender equality. This includes providing access to affordable housing, offering financial literacy programs, and ensuring equal access to credit.
3. Improved Educational Outcomes
Research consistently shows that children in homeowner households perform better academically. Stability in housing allows children to attend the same schools for longer periods, leading to better educational continuity and higher academic achievement. A study by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University found that homeownership positively impacts children’s cognitive development and educational attainment .
5. Community Development
When women own homes, the benefits extend beyond the individual to the community at large. Homeowners are more likely to invest in their neighborhoods, participate in local governance, and contribute to community cohesion. This increased civic engagement can lead to safer, more stable, and prosperous communities. Moreover, diverse homeownership can stimulate local economies by boosting demand for goods and services.
6. Breaking the Cycle of Poverty
Homeownership is a key factor in breaking the cycle of poverty. For many low-income women and their families, owning a home can be a pathway out of poverty. It provides not only a stable living environment but also an asset that can be passed down to future generations, thereby helping to build intergenerational wealth and stability .