“A world where everyone has a decent place to live.” – Habitat for Humanity Mission Statement
Founded in 1997, Habitat for Humanity of Washington and Dodge Counties strives to put that statement into practice by helping those who are less fortunate get affordable housing. We spoke with Executive Director Russ Wanta who said this year Habitat will be breaking ground on home number 44!
To qualify for a home, families must show they fall between 30 and 55 percent of the median income for the county. But Habitat does not give away the homes. The new homeowners pay a no-interest mortgage to help cover costs. The family, along with other volunteers, contribute “sweat equity.” This involves helping build the house, helping at Germanfest, and helping at other construction sites. After their house is completed, the family is required to live or work in Washington or Dodge County for a minimum of one year.
Russ remembered one family that was helped by Habitat. “They were fleeing the Serbian-Kosovo War. They lost their infant as they made their way to Macedonia for protection. After all that tragedy, their luck turned, and they won a lottery to become one of only 25,000 families to be granted United States citizenship. They eventually made their way to Hartford where a church took them under wing, and Habitat was able to help them build them a home.”
These boards, which are painted with inspirational quotes and pictures by families and organizations, end up inside every house that Habitat builds.
Habitat does more than just build houses. They also run the ReStore shop, a place where people donate their old and unused home building supplies and tools such as hammers, saws and other power tools for resale, keeping those items out of landfills.
Martina Ritger was one of those that have been helped. “I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Habitat,” she said. “I am thankful that I have a safe home for my children and that my family has a sense of accomplishment by helping to build safe affordable homes for families who otherwise can’t afford one.”
Along with construction, Habitat also helps the community through their A Brush With Kindness program. This program provides low-cost minor home repairs to low-income, elderly, disabled and veteran homeowners who might not be able to do the work themselves. Such repairs include window repair, door replacement, building ramps for the physically disabled and other such projects. Much like the homeowners, the recipients of this work pay it back through no-interest loans and sweat equity projects.
Want to help support Habitat? There are three events coming up:
Golf Fore Homes on June 14th at Hon-E-Kor Golf Course in Kewaskum
Germanfest August 22-25 in Downtown West Bend
Annual Fall Celebration in November at WBMI in their Prairie Center.
You can follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @hfhwado.
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