Habitat family anxious for new home
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LEWISTOWN -- Habitat for Humanity hopes to have their current building project completed by fall.
Due to COVID setbacks and price increases on building supplies, the project was delayed. Now with the end in sight, Merijane Vanderhoof and her son, Zephyr, look forward to moving into their new home after a long wait.
Vanderhoof shared what this opportunity means to her. "It is a very big help as to getting my own property. I would not be able to afford it otherwise. I have a 7-year-old son and it's hard to do a lot of things, especially trying to raise yourself in the community and society in general while having a child and working all the time. It's great and I truly appreciate them."
Families seeking help from Habitat for Humanity go through a vetting process established by the organization.
Things like income range that would keep them from getting a bank loan and the participants willingness to do the work asked of them determine if a family will be eligible.
Lori Kint, Mifflin County Habitat for Humanity Board member said, "They have to be willing to work for the house; they get an interest free loan, they do pay for the house. That's a common misconception, they pay a thirty-year mortgage, but there is no interest rate. What they do is, they have to put in five hundred sweat equity hours, and that is a lot of time for people who are working and have children. So, they have to put a lot of effort in."
Families also have to do construction and learn about financial literacy and budgeting. Habitat for Humanity also shows them how to care for a home with things like changing filters on the furnace and other homeowner responsibilities. Homeowners are also put through a background check, as well.
Millard Fuller founded Habitat for Humanity in 1967, and today, there are affiliates in all 50 states and 70 countries. The local chapter is composed totally of volunteers, people who have a desire to make a difference in our community.
The current project is the eleventh house Mifflin County Habitat for Humanity has built.
Kint said there is always a need for more volunteers and many different ways to get involved. They need construction help on the build sites, people willing to bring meals to the workers, and local businesses that would be willing to donate building and home supplies. Financial donations are always welcome and needed as well.
Jeff Bell, President of the Mifflin County Habitat for Humanity board said, "It is always a challenge to raise money. We keep the money here in the community, except for 10 percent that we pledge to international projects."
Bell added that even when they are not in an active building project, they are always doing something within the community to raise awareness. "The effort it takes for us to do that takes a lot of volunteers."
Dave Coble, Assistant Treasurer of Mifflin County Habitat for Humanity said, "I am a behind the scenes paperwork guy. We have a great team of dedicated Habitat workers and some community volunteers constructing the house. I continue to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity because I like what it stands for. Habitat gives families a hand up, not a handout. We will partner with Habitat families, and together, we build them a new house they can afford."
For those interested in becoming part of the Habitat for Humanity mission, more information can be obtained by emailing info@mifflinhabitat.org. There are also meetings the first Monday of every month at 6 p.m. in the basement of the Old Highland Park Presbyterian Church.