Opinion

Habitat offers oppourtunity for good housing

Monday, February 10, 2003

Steadfast and determined, a strong corps of volunteers is surging ahead with plans to build "Habitat for Humanity" homes in Southwest Nebraska.

Sunday, another in a long list of "firsts" took place when organization members met with residents of the neighborhood in which the first Habitat home will be constructed.

Questions were raised -- such as, "Will the yard be kept up?" -- but there were no objections expressed to the Habitat home being built on the lot at 805 West K Street.

That is encouraging, because the Habitat for Humanity movement can make a meaningful difference in the lives of families in this area.

From this point forward, things could start happening quickly. With the lot chosen, the attention shifts to continued fund-raising and selection of the family for the first Habitat home in this area.

If the needed funds are raised -- estimated at between $20,000 and $30,000 -- the Habitat organization believes it can start construction as early as May of this year.

The homes aren't free. The selected families must work alongside the Habitat volunteers, and they must commit themselves to paying off a no-interest mortgage for the cost of materials.

Still, it's a wonderful opportunity, providing decent, affordable living quarters for families who otherwise could not afford them.

Depending on the size of the family, the Habitat homes can either be two-, three- or even four-bedroom homes. They are single level structures of frame construction. There are no garages or basements, but the basics of living are provided. The first attempts at organization for the area Habitat organization were launched three years ago. A year later, the local group affiliated with Habitat for Humanity International, and a board of directors was chosen. Since that time, efforts have continued behind the scenes to bring the Habitat dream to a reality in this area.

In its mission, the area chapter will be serving the counties of Red Willow, Furnas and Frontier. Once the home in McCook is completed and occupied, the Habitat group will turn its attention to other locations.

As a Christian-based organization, the area Habitat group will tithe 10 percent of the funds it raises to the international work of Habitat for Humanity. While helping here, they will also be helping the world.

The volunteers are responding to a needed and noble cause. Those wishing to help may do so by sending contributions to Southwest Nebraska Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 248, McCook, NE 69001.

Together, the Habitat volunteers and supporters can make this area ... and this world ... a better place with decent, affordable family housing.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: