Plans Begin for Home #45
Exciting news! Habitat for Humanity Barry County has officially acquired a new lot for Home Build #45. The lot, located next door to our main office, was previously overgrown with brush, but thanks to the hard work of our volunteers, it has begun being transformed into a site ready for construction.
We kicked off the project with an enthusiastic team from Lake Trust in Hastings, who helped clear brush, tidy the grounds, and assist with additional office maintenance. This lot represents a fresh start for both the community and the family who will soon call it home.
Fundraising for the construction phase has now begun, and we are calling on the community to rally together to bring this vision to life. Your support—whether through donations or volunteering—can make a lasting difference.
A special tribute from the State of Michigan was presented to Habitat for Humanity Barry County in recognition of their 35 years of dedicated service to the community. The presentation was made by John Williams, President of Habitat for Humanity of Michigan, who highlighted the organization’s impactful work and enduring commitment to improving lives through homeownership. The tribute was a heartfelt acknowledgment of Habitat’s contributions and was signed by Eighteenth District State Senator Thomas A. Albert.
Roof Repair Update
We’re happy to report that our office’s leaky roof has been repaired! Back in July, we shared with you the challenges we were facing with extensive leaks. With the combined efforts of our committed staff, dedicated volunteers, and the generous support of Barry County United Way, and a discount from Barry County Lumber we have successfully completed a roof recoating project.
The completed repairs will help us while we continue to raise support for a new roof, which is still the needed solution.
Can you Help Us Help Ourselves so we can Continue to Help Others?
Experts say we need a whole new roof. One company said the new roof coating may buy us a year… but with every freeze and thaw cycle, cracks are likely to reopen. 🙁 Other companies have simply said you need to get it done. The estimates for getting a new flat roof membrane installed are between 120, to 170 thousand dollars. We are also getting quotes on putting a pitched roof over the building. At any rate dollars are desperately needed! If you can donate please do. We will continue to put on “Band-Aids” of roof coating while we raise the funding for the whole re-do.
Our Habitat Repair Program will continue to operate with its designated funding, but a new home build is on hold while we deal with “our own house” for now. If you know of a foundation or grant that deals in funding Non-Profit self-care (aka capital investments) we would love that tip as well!
About Habitat for Humanity Barry County
Habitat for Humanity Barry County was incorporated on May 8, 1989 and since that time we have built 44 new homes.
We build our homes in partnership with low-income Barry County families. Home number 44 just south of Hastings was built for the Jason Goggins family and completed in late November of 2023.
Our next home project will not begin until we have the funds we need secured, or pledged. Please consider how you can help!
What is Habitat? Read on…
Our Mission Statement is:
Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.
Habitat for Humanity International has a vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. We strive toward that same vision in our county!
Habitat for Humanity Barry County is a Christian ministry dedicated to making that vision become reality, one home at a time. We are run by a volunteer Board of Directors. Aside from a few key staff people, we rely on volunteer labor in the ReStore, and on the construction site.
Our Home Program
There are many paths to Home Ownership, but a traditional mortgage program can be out of reach for many people. We can remove some of the barriers, but not all of them. If you are selected as a partner family we will build, or renovate, an energy efficient home for you. We then sell it to you for the appraised value, keeping it affordable for your family by fluctuating the terms and not adding market rate interest. Your credit must be decent and your debt load cannot be excessive. The down payment on a Habitat home is $500.00 + your hours of work. That makes a Habitat partnership an appealing option for many people who would otherwise only be able to afford a “handyman’s dream” home.
Construction
Our homes are sold, not given, to selected low-income partner families. Prospective homeowners are required to provide “sweat equity” of at least 300 hours of work on the construction of their home in order to qualify. Newly constructed homes are Energy Star Certified and are built according to Universal Standards.
Homes are built with the help of volunteers. We use supplies and subcontractors from our local communities whenever possible, thus providing additional benefits to Barry County. The short term objective is to construct our homes one at a time, as we can raise the money. The long term objective is to increase community support and awareness while creating a sustainable construction fund.
We also have a home repair program that can assist with critical home repairs in existing homes. We work in partnership with Barry County Home Repair, Community Action Agency and other local organizations to help low-income homeowners in our county be able to stay in their existing homes.
We recently completed home number 44, just south of Hastings. This home, built for the Jason Goggins family, represents not just a physical structure, but a foundation for family stability and opportunity. Completed in late November of 2023, this project underscores Habitat’s commitment to partnering with families in Barry County to secure a safe, affordable place to call home. This project has been especially significant as the homeowner is a disabled Navy veteran and a single dad raising three kids, including a handicapped son.
Help Build Strength and Stability
At Habitat for Humanity, we build. We build because we believe that everyone, everywhere should have a healthy, affordable place to call home. When a family helps build or improve a place they can call home, they are also building a better community, a better life for
themselves.
Your donation will help families in need of a decent place to build long-term financial
security. With an affordable, stable home, families have more to spend on food, medicine, child care, education and other essentials. Your support can help us do more in all the many ways that Habitat builds.
Thanks to you, Habitat is transforming lives here in Barry County and all around the world.
