TROY — Habitat for Humanity of Miami and Shelby Counties, Ohio, has announced its first project in Shelby County since the Miami and Shelby county organizations merged in early 2015.
Airstream Inc. is sponsoring a Habitat “build” at 107 Birch St. in Jackson Center. Airstream will provide $80,000 in sponsorship funding for the build, which is scheduled to begin later this year.
“That’s roughly the cost of a three-bedroom home. We build a $130,000 house, but the labor is donated. The $80,000 is the cost without labor,” said William Horstman, executive director of the local Habitat chapter.
“Airstream feels it is important to support and give back to our local community where many of our associates live and raise their families,” said Bob Wheeler, president of Airstream, in a release from Habitat. “We are proud to support Habitat for Humanity’s ‘build’ in Jackson Center and hope this project will not be our last.”
A family has not been identified to take ownership of the house, but applications are being accepted now (see sidebar). Selecting a site and recruiting volunteers for a build before its occupants are known is not the usual procedure for this chapter, Horstman told the Sidney Daily News.
“Most of the time, we have a family, but I’m trying to move an affiliate forward. It’s a little backwards, but only because we’ve been doing it the other way for so long. Who’s to say this is not forward?” he said. Habitat groups in big cities often build a house first and then find people who can benefit from owning it.
“But they have budgets in the millions and can afford to carry it (on their books),” Horstman said.
Airstream’s funding will cover the cost of purchasing a lot and building materials. Usually, such funding for the Miami/Shelby chapter comes from grants and donations by individuals.
“A sponsor build is kind of a big thing,” Horstman said. The labor for Habitat projects is performed by volunteers.
Airstream will coordinate volunteer recruitment for this project and document the build with photography and video. Airstream will also provide public relations support and plan the groundbreaking and dedication ceremonies, according to the release.
Habitat homeowners help build their own homes and pay an affordable mortgage. Habitat is able to offer mortgage loans with flexible terms and zero interest or zero-equivalent interest to low- to moderate-income families. Habitat measures income according to guidelines published by HUD.
“It’s a misconception that Habitat homes are for people in poverty,” Horstman said. Monthly mortgage payments are recycled back into the Habitat affiliate, which helps support the long-term sustainability of Habitat’s programs.
“We are excited about the opportunity to have Airstream and the Jackson Center community be a part of this first Shelby County build since the affiliates consolidated in 2015,” Horstman said. “We hope to engage interested civic, religious and governmental parties in this endeavor to help people rise to the next level of self-reliance.”
The build won’t begin until a family has been selected.
