Habitat for Humanity of Greater Salt Lake Area will host its annual Pride Build from June 22 through 27, bringing together volunteers, community organizations, and corporate partners for a week of hands-on construction work aimed at advancing affordable housing access for LGBTQ+ Utahns.

The event will focus on landscaping and accessibility enhancements to existing homes and community parks in South Salt Lake, with volunteers taking daily shifts from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. No prior construction experience is required.

This year’s Pride Build will culminate on Friday, June 26, with a ceremony commemorating the 11th anniversary of Obergefell v. Hodges, the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that established marriage equality nationwide. The event will feature remarks from community speakers, including Tyler Glenn, lead singer of Neon Trees and co-founder of LOVELOUD Foundation.

Habitat CEO Carin Crowe said the timing is intentional.

“Pride Build represents the heart of Habitat’s mission: bringing people together to create lasting impact in our community,” Crowe said. “As we honor the anniversary of marriage equality, we celebrate the progress made and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that everyone has access to a safe and affordable place to call home.”

The event is organized in partnership with LOVELOUD Foundation, Utah Pride Center, UAF Legacy Health, and Equality Utah. Organizers say the partnership indicates a joint recognition that stable housing is inseparable from broader LGBTQ+ health and equity outcomes.

Chad Call, executive director of the Utah Pride Center, said housing stability is a foundation for the community’s well-being.

“The Utah Pride Center is proud to partner with Habitat for Humanity on Pride Build because we know that safe, stable housing is foundational to health, well-being, and belonging,” Call said. “Pride is about celebrating our community, but it is also about creating a future where LGBTQ+ people have the opportunity to thrive. And that happens when organizations come together to support one another.”

The event’s partnership packet cites considerable disparities in housing access for LGBTQ+ individuals. While the national homeownership rate hovers near 66 percent, the rate for LGBTQ+ individuals falls between 49 and 51 percent — a gap that organizers say widens further for transgender individuals and queer people of color. The packet also notes that roughly half of the LGBTQ+ community relies heavily on rental housing, leaving many vulnerable to displacement as housing costs continue to rise across the Wasatch Front.

Habitat for Humanity Greater Salt Lake Area, established in 1986 as the first Habitat affiliate in Utah, says it has helped 132 local families achieve affordable homeownership and completed critical home repairs for more than 1,200 residents across Salt Lake, Davis, and Tooele counties.

Glenn said the event represents the kind of community action that makes tangible differences in people’s lives.

“Pride Build is a powerful example of what happens when communities unite around a shared purpose — making an impact and creating opportunities, connecting with fellow LGBTQ+ individuals and allies, and celebrating Pride through action and service,” Glenn said. “We are honored to partner with Habitat for Humanity and our fellow community organizations in this important work.”

Organizers are seeking approximately 180 volunteers for the week. Participants will receive a commemorative Pride Build T-shirt, sticker, and catered lunch. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for organizations that cannot send volunteers directly to the build site, with contribution levels ranging from $500 to $10,000.

Registration for volunteer shifts is open at habitatsaltlake.org/pridebuild.