A Chance Encounter That Changed Everything
Calvin Martin wasn’t looking to start a company the day he knocked on the door of an old visitor center in Beloit. He just wanted a map. But when he learned that the building now housed Acts Housing, something sparked.
“I’d never bought a home before,” Calvin said. “I was renting my dad’s house, and honestly, buying always felt out of reach. Acts made it simple.”
After completing Acts Housing’s homebuyer education course, Calvin decided to buy the house his father had purchased years earlier for the family. That moment set him on a new path and connected him more deeply to Acts’ mission.
Expanding Access to Affordable Homeownership
That same mission continues to grow. This year, Acts Homes is on track to rehab and sell more than 100 homes for Milwaukee families—each one a step toward stronger neighborhoods and lasting affordability.
“Our foundational principle is safe, sanitary, code compliant,” said Kimi George, Acts Housing’s Construction Director. “We want to do things right for future homeowners.”
An Engineer with a Vision for Affordable Housing
As an engineer, Calvin was no stranger to process and precision. He’d spent years building systems, managing teams, and developing efficient workflows. But when he began working on rehabs through Acts, he noticed something missing in the marketplace.
“There are a million companies that’ll do $100,000 remodels,” he said. “But there are zero legitimate companies that take on the smaller, affordable ones and stand behind their work.”
Calvin decided to fill that gap. He launched Home Hab Renovations, a fully licensed, insured company built on fairness, integrity, and efficiency—designed to serve Acts Homes and families striving toward homeownership.
Building Partnerships That Strengthen Communities
“The reason Calvin started Home Hab is because he saw the gap we’ve been struggling with,” George said. “You either get extremely low-end contractors or extremely high-end ones and there aren’t many in the middle.”
“For me, it’s all about staying efficient,” Calvin said. “Every project looks different, but if you stay organized, it’s rinse and repeat—demo, cleanup, framing, plumbing, finish work. Follow the process, stay disciplined, and it works.”
Today, Home Hab has relocated to Milwaukee and is fully invested in Acts Homes’ mission. Calvin and his growing crew have already completed more than 30 homes and are now tackling multiple rehabs, with plans to scale up to 10 projects a month by 2026.
“We’ve worked on a lot of different projects,” Calvin said. “What’s special about Acts is that the homes we renovate go right back into the community, and Acts stands behind the work.”
Closing the Affordable Housing Gap
George agrees that partnerships like this are transforming how affordable housing gets done.
“Affordable housing has a huge gap between families who are homeless and families who are overpaying for rent,” she said. “What we’re trying to do is take properties investors might flip and turn them into real opportunities for working-wage families.”
Mentorship and Workforce Development at the Core
Home Hab isn’t just efficient—it’s built around people. Many of Calvin’s workers are young guys getting their first opportunity in the trades, and he’s intentional about mentorship.
“These are good guys who just needed someone to give them a shot,” he said. “We’re training them to be managers, to build crews, to lead. Workforce development is everything.”
That commitment to fairness and growth mirrors Acts Housing’s own belief in creating opportunities that last.
Doing Things Right, from Foundation to Finish
“Calvin’s story is incredible,” George said. “He started as a homebuyer in our program, and now he’s one of our most trusted contractors. His company fits perfectly into our ecosystem—he does things right, by the book, and with heart.”
She’s seen firsthand how Calvin’s approach mirrors Acts Homes’ values.
“He’s helping us do what makes Acts Homes unique,” George added. “We have real skin in the game. It’s not about making money. It’s about doing what’s right and setting families up for success.”
Calvin shares that same mindset on every job.
“When we fix something, we fix it the right way,” Calvin said. “I feel better knowing we didn’t just cover something up. We did it right. Because that means the family moving in won’t have to worry later.”
For both, the work goes beyond construction—it’s about restoring pride and belonging.
“When we start to pour time and breathe life back into these old houses, the neighbors feel better about what’s going on,” George said. “They see that there’s investment being made in their community and all of a sudden, we all matter more.”
From Homebuyer to Community Builder
From his start as a first-time homebuyer to becoming a key partner in Milwaukee’s affordable housing work, Calvin’s journey reflects what’s possible when purpose meets opportunity.
“We’re just happy to scale up with Acts and be involved with them,” Calvin said. “I believe we’ve got a bright future together.”
Together, Acts Homes and Home Hab are creating lasting opportunities for families and communities to thrive. Looking to contractor partner with Acts Homes? Click here to learn more.