By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
As Habitat for Humanity prepares to start its second home in Bowling Green, the group is putting out a call for volunteers.
If you can’t wield a hammer or paintbrush, your skills may be needed to make lunches or handle office duties.
“The foundation of Habitat is our volunteers,” said Mark Ohashi, director of Habitat for Humanity of Wood County. “We always want to be recruiting new volunteers.”
A recent meeting was held by Habitat to recruit local volunteers interested in helping to build new or renovate homes.
“You all bring an amazing skill set to our organization,” Ohashi said, noting that many volunteers are retired people. “This is a great way to continue to utilize your skills and move our program forward.”
Since 1993, Habitat has built 28 homes in Wood County. Earlier this year, the first Habitat home in Bowling Green was completed on one of three lots donated by the city of Bowling Green near the corner of Clough and Manville streets.
On Thursday, Aug. 15, at 11 a.m., Habitat will break ground for the second house in Bowling Green.
The organization is devoted to building homes, communities and hope, Ohashi said.
“Safe shelter is something that many people can’t access – even here in Bowling Green,” he said.
In Wood County, few people live on the streets, but rather live in inadequate settings. “Our housing problem looks different here than in major metropolitan areas,” he said.
For example, Habitat for Humanity in Wood County has found families in the following situations:
- A six-person family living in a two-bedroom apartment.
- A family living in a garage with no heat, electricity or plumbing.
- A family temporarily camping behind Big Lots in a wooded area.
- A family living in a dilapidated farmhouse, with no working electricity or drywall.
Approximately 2,000 Wood County families fall below the poverty line and can’t afford adequate housing. The average market value is $764 a month for a two-bedroom apartment in the county, and $994 a month for a three-bedroom apartment.
At minimum wage, a person would need to work 69 hours a week to afford a two-bedroom apartment, Ohashi said.
“That’s why families make do,” he said.
“Our vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live,” he said. “Safe shelter is one of the most basic things we need to be successful as humans.”
Many take safe housing for granted – but the lack of a good home can be a stumbling block for families.
“Every child deserves a safe place to do her homework,” Ohashi said. “Every family deserves a healthy place to call home.”
Too often, families without adequate housing settle since they can’t seem to escape it.
“Folks seem to make do with their housing situations – amazingly,” he said. “Every person deserves to feel safe in their neighborhood.”
To qualify for a Habitat home, families must meet three criteria.
They must demonstrate a need that their present housing is unsafe, overcrowded, or costs more than 30 percent of their income.
They must also have an ability to pay for a Habitat home.
“There’s a myth that Habitat gives away houses,” Ohashi said. Families pay back mortgages to Habitat, with zero percent home loans.
And they must show a willingness to partner with Habitat through “sweat equity.”
“The families go through a pretty rigorous program,” he said.
Another meeting for registering volunteers will be held Aug. 15, at 3 p.m., at Trinity United Methodist Church in Bowling Green. A meeting of the core building crew will be held Aug. 16, at 10 a.m., at the church.
Anyone interested in volunteering should call 419-353-5430 or email wchabitat.org.
