Local Habitat for Humanity volunteers have begun another year of repairing homes across Greene County through the Helping Hands program. Several more low-income homeowners in Greene County will receive assistance this summer.
Travis and Nikki Edwards of 903 Eighth St, Scranton, are partnering with Habitat for Humanity to complete some much needed repairs. The Edwards have three children. Habitat volunteers will replace the roof and some damaged siding plus prime and paint the entire house. The first work date was Saturday, June 4, and area church congregations are scheduled through Saturday, June 25.
In July Habitat volunteers will begin work at 607 W. State St in Jefferson with Lisa Aldrich and her six children. Assistance will be in the form of repairing a roof that over the course of time has developed several leaks. The house will also be scraped and given a fresh coat of paint.
According to Heart of Iowa Habitat for Humanity associate director Jeff Lamoureux, “a common misconception is that Habitat is a giveaway program. Our Habitat volunteers donate their time and talent to keep costs down, but the homeowner is asked to repay the cost of building materials.”
A zero-interest loan from Habitat over five years keeps payments low, usually between $50 and $100 per month. Proceeds of these payments are used to help additional families. In keeping with the hand-up model of Habitat for Humanity, homeowners are also required to contribute their own sweat equity working alongside volunteers.
Additional projects in Greene County are scheduled for later this summer and into early fall where many volunteers will be needed to do carpentry, roofing, landscaping, and painting. Those able to provide food to sustain work crews are also highly valued. Those with interest in volunteering on Saturdays from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm should contact the Habitat office at 515-386-3093 or email AD@heartofiowhabitat.org.
Financial supporters of the Helping Hands program in 2016 include the Greene County Community Foundation, Greene County board of supervisors, Jefferson Rotary Club, Peoples Trust & Savings Bank, Home State Bank, Community State Bank of Paton, Paton Presbyterian Church, First Presbyterian Church of Jefferson, and Abundant Life Ministries.
