Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities is unveiling its 147th home build in East Moline, 1360 Morton Drive. This $200,000 construction project was entirely funded by the John Deere Foundation, and its employees contributed 195 hours of volunteer labor.
“So the Quad Cities, as most people know, is facing a growing affordable housing shortage,” Habitat for Humanity QC Development Director Cassandra Erwin said in an interview with WVIK on Thursday, May 14th. “Homelessness has increased 44% in the past year, I believe, according to Project Now. And we see a huge percentage, in fact, 74% of extremely low-income families are cost burdened, meaning they're paying up to 50% of their entire income just on their home.”
Erwin noted this recent build will benefit a single mother who's been working in the QC for over 19 years.
“And she's really excited to have her own home so she can host family and friends and especially some family from out of the country,” Erwin said.
Families who apply to qualify for a home must assist in the home build or on another construction project totaling 250 hours. They also need to attend homeownership preparation classes with support from a volunteer mentor.
“And after about two years of work on that home through the family Habitat staff and volunteers, it is eventually purchased by the new homeowner with down payment assistance and a zero-interest mortgage,” Erwin said. The most recent open session for applications closed this past January.
Most of the lots for future builds are donated to the nonprofit, but Erwin noted that sometimes they do purchase lots. She said the Habitat Restore at 3629 Mississippi Avenue in Davenport provides low-cost building materials with funds benefiting the nonprofit’s programs. In addition to home construction, the organization provides a home repair program specifically active for properties within the boundaries of West Locust Street to the North, 4th Street to the South, Harrison Street to the East, and Division Street to the West in Davenport.
There is also a rolling application process for homeowners who wish to add a ramp to their property, available throughout the Quad Cities. Most of these initiatives are completed by resident volunteers.
“If you've ever been interested in volunteering with Habitat or even applying for a Habitat home, we would welcome the public to come visit. It's a really great opportunity to see the benefits of federal funding up close and in person,” Erwin said. “ A lot of our homes are funded with Community Development Block Grants, which at the federal level are being cut severely. So it's a really great opportunity for most folks to see funding assistance in action.”
The home dedication will start at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 16th, at 1360 Morton Drive, East Moline.
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