Responsibility and dependability are two key qualities for homeownership. These are also key principles for Ravalli County Habitat for Humanity.
They build homes with a responsible "pay as you go" plan and recently broke ground for the newest home, and will build in three phases: foundation, build the house and enclose it, then finishing the structure.
There is no timeline for the project as it all depends on how quickly funds are raised.
Habitat for Humanity has stringent terms for selecting a family to receive a Habitat home and the Ravalli County branch has additional criteria.
The family has to be able to:
- repay the mortgage - at less than 30% of their income
- demonstrate a need (financial or physical)
- have a willingness to partner with Habitat for Humanity
- and - the Ravalli additional condition - they have to have residency here and be part of our community.
"It's not a give away," said Jess Burson, Chair of Public Relations and Fundraising. "They have to contribute 500 hours of sweat equity towards the project - this can be in fundraising, not just in swinging a hammer, so they have to be invested in the community."
The new home owner will be Christy Borgan a single mother of two who has been employed at Head Start in Hamilton for 17 years.
"It's like a triangle," said Burson, "Habitat, the family and the community."
"We've had great success with contributors for the foundation" said Becky Brandborg, vice-president of HFH, "Donaldson Brothers Ready-Mix, Maydole Excavating, and Ryan Oster. We've also had big contributors: the Denis and Phyllis Washington Corporation, Thrivent for Lutherans, Northwest Energy, Neff's Flooring, and lots of private donations."
Ravalli County Habitat for Humanity is big on volunteers. "There have been over 100 people on this project already," said Burson. "The Community is really coming out in support."
In the ten years that Habitat for Humanity has been in Ravalli County they have built three homes: Corvallis, Darby, and Hamilton. The new home will be built at the corner of Cherry and 7th in Hamilton.
Ravalli County Habitat for Humanity welcomes donations of time, energy, materials and money.
For further information check their website: http://www.ravallihabitat.org/
- Michelle McConnaha reporting for kpax.com
