Champion Homes Boosts Affordable Housing with Habitat Donation
Champion Homes, Inc. (“Champion Homes”), a leading name in offsite construction and modular housing, has taken another step in its mission to address the nation’s growing housing affordability crisis. The company announced that it will donate the value of a modular home to Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity, reinforcing a collaborative effort to make homeownership attainable for more families in Northeast Ohio.
The partnership highlights the potential of modular housing not only as a cost-effective construction solution but also as a means of revitalizing entire neighborhoods. With the housing affordability gap widening across the U.S., this initiative provides both practical housing solutions and hope for long-term community development.
A Shared Vision for Affordable Housing
“Champion Homes is committed to building high-quality, affordable homes using offsite construction,” said Tim Larson, President and CEO of Champion Homes. “The need is great, and Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity has been a fantastic collaborator as we work together to make homeownership a reality for more families.”
Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity (GCHFH), part of the larger Habitat for Humanity International network, has long been known for helping low-to-moderate income families achieve stable housing. Through this collaboration, the nonprofit gains access to Champion’s expertise in modular design, allowing projects to be completed more efficiently without compromising quality.
The home donation represents more than just four walls and a roof — it is part of a long-term strategy to provide stability, equity-building opportunities, and stronger communities.
Celebrating a New Beginning
To commemorate the milestone, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place on September 24, 2025, at 3 p.m. at the corner of Grovewood Avenue and East 164th Street in Cleveland. The event will welcome local residents, community leaders, and media representatives. After the ceremony, attendees will be invited to tour the donated home and explore seven additional modular homes built on the same block through the Champion–Habitat partnership.
Representatives from both organizations will be present, including:
- Tim Larson, President & CEO of Champion Homes
- Wade Lyall, Executive Vice President of Business Development at Champion Homes
- Steve Peel, Regional Director of Sales at Champion Homes
- John Litten, President & CEO of Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity
“This home will help a local family build a stronger future,” said John Litten. “Together with Champion Homes, we’re helping revitalize this neighborhood and changing people’s living situations for the better.”
How the Homeownership Model Works
Unlike traditional home sales, Habitat for Humanity operates on a unique model designed to ensure long-term affordability. The home donated by Champion Homes will be sold to a local family at no profit. The family will receive a zero percent interest mortgage, with monthly payments capped at 30 percent of their income.
This approach ensures that families can manage housing costs while still saving for other needs such as education, healthcare, and future financial stability. In addition, Habitat homeowners often participate in “sweat equity,” contributing their own labor to the construction or improvement of homes, further strengthening their sense of ownership and pride.
Inside the Modular Home
Built at Champion Homes’s Strattanville, Pennsylvania manufacturing facility, the donated home spans 1,493 square feet. It features:
- Three bedrooms and two bathrooms
- A covered front porch for outdoor living
- ENERGY STAR® appliances, windows, and doors for improved efficiency
- Modern design elements that reflect both comfort and practicality
Like all Champion modular homes, this house complies with local, state, and regional building codes, ensuring the same level of safety and quality as traditional site-built homes. The difference lies in the construction method: modular homes are manufactured in a controlled environment and then assembled on-site. This method significantly reduces build time and costs, while minimizing material waste.
A Growing Footprint in Cleveland
The Grovewood Avenue and East 164th Street project is part of a larger ongoing partnership between Champion Homes and Greater Cleveland Habitat. In addition to the ten homes being completed in this neighborhood, Champion has previously contributed to two other major projects:
- Four modular homes on West 83rd Street, constructed at Champion’s Sugarcreek, Ohio, facility.
- Five modular homes on Matherson Avenue, also produced at the Sugarcreek facility.
Combined, these projects represent nearly 20 homes delivered through the partnership — each one contributing to Cleveland’s affordable housing stock.
“Being able to put in ten new houses at once changes a neighborhood,” said Steve Peel, Regional Director of Sales at Champion Homes. “That’s ten new driveways, sidewalks, and garages. Because we’re able to build homes at a faster pace with offsite construction, we can quickly make a real difference in a neighborhood.”
The Broader Impact of Modular Construction
The donation is also part of a larger conversation about how modular construction can reshape the U.S. housing market. The benefits extend well beyond affordability:
- Speed of construction: Modular homes can be built and installed in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods.
- Cost efficiency: Controlled factory production reduces labor costs and material waste.
- Sustainability: ENERGY STAR® features and reduced waste contribute to greener construction practices.
- Neighborhood revitalization: When multiple modular homes are installed simultaneously, the visible transformation can spark renewed community pride and investment.
For cities like Cleveland, where older housing stock and underinvested neighborhoods are common, modular construction offers a path to both new development and community renewal.
