PRINEVILLE, OR -- Habitat for Humanity in Crook County is shutting down operations, and the ReStore in Prineville will close June 30. Bend Habitat merged with Crook County in 2008 to help build more affordable housing in the region. 

Robin Cooper-Engle, with Habitat, says it was not an easy decision. "It's been a challenge, financially. We've put money into the community to help further the mission of Habitat, and it's just not moving forward like we had hoped." She tells KBND News, "So many of us put lots of heart and soul into the time there. We've been trying to move things forward over this last year to see if things would change a little bit. And, unfortunately, this is a decision our board made that it's time to close operations." She says rising costs of land and construction contributed to the economic problems.

Cooper-Engle says over the last eight years, Habitat has invested $275,000 to help the Prineville community. They've served five families and completed 40 home repairs.