Milford Habitat for Humanity groundbreaking scheduled for Sunday

(Photo by Kris Todd) Rev. Scott Meier, a Northwest Iowa Corridor Habitat for Humanity board member, stands beside four of the well-wish laden studs to be used in the Habitat for Humanity house in Milford. Signers ranged in age from young to young-at-heart. [Order this photo]

The local alliance between Habitat for Humanity International and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans continues to build hope for low-income families as the mortgage crisis unfolds nationwide. Since 2005, this alliance has given thousands of families across the nation an opportunity to achieve the American dream of homeownership.

Of these, seven homes have been built over the last several years in Clay and Dickinson counties.

Two more area Habitat for Humanity homes are scheduled to be built by the end of this year.

"Somewhere around the world or in the United States or just down the street a family struggles to get by. Bills don't get paid, health deteriorates and so does hope. It doesn't have to be this way," Rev. Scott Meier, a Northwest Iowa Corridor Habitat for Humanity board member, said. "Friends at Habitat for Humanity knew this when they began their ministry 30 years ago. Habitat has provided shelter for almost 1 million people around the world. Habitat for Humanity, with the cooperation of Thrivent Builds, is making an effort to dramatically increase the number of homes built this year from the inner cities of America to neighborhoods around you."

A groundbreaking ceremony for the next area Habitat for Humanity house is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Sunday, March 29 across from the Dairy Queen in Milford. Besides the area people and church members gearing up to place shovels in the locale's dirt, this groundbreaking ceremony and shovel-ready project will be accompanied by prayers for the family and the work crews that assemble for the approaching build.

The potential homeowners, referred to as a "partner family," have been selected from Milford and are ready to begin investing their "sweat equity" hours for the build.

The Habitat for Humanity house in Milford is expected to be completed by the end of August.

But before the Milford build is completed, plans are to start building another Habitat for Humanity house in Spencer. This will mark the first time that the Northwest Iowa Corridor Habitat for Humanity and Thrivent Builds will partner on a local build.

"The big part about the second home build is that it's really only possible because of the cooperation with Thrivent Builds," Meier said. "They're covering 65 percent of the cost of the house through Thrivent Builds. Also, about one-fourth of the volunteers will be Thrivent Financial members. Another half of the volunteers will be Lutherans from Clay County area Lutheran churches."

Over the last couple years, Thrivent Builds has been partnering with Habitat for Humanity across the United States. The two entities, for example, partnered in homes built throughout New Orleans and Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina.

(Photo by Kris Todd) Local people have printed prayers and well wishes such as this on studs set to be used in the next Habitat for Humanity house being built in Milford. A groundbreaking celebration for this home is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Sunday across from the Dairy Queen in Milford. [Order this photo]

In regard to the upcoming build in Spencer, Meier said, "We're hoping to start that build by the end of June. We're in the family selection process for the Spencer build currently and we're accepting applications."

Eligibility for potential partner families is based on a few factors. These include the ability to provide a down payment and a monthly mortgage payment on a no-interest, no-profit loan. Eligible applicants must also have a need for adequate housing, as well as the ability to complete 400 hours of sweat equity in helping to build their home. Minimum income guidelines must also be met.

The potential Spencer home site, which will be located at 12 Hillside Boulevard, is near two other Habitat homes already established in the southern Spencer neighborhood.

Applications are available at the Spencer Public Library or in area Lutheran churches. Completed applications may be mailed to the Northwest Iowa Corridor Habitat for Humanity at P.O. Box 754, Spirit Lake, Iowa 51360. Additional questions may be directed to Northwest Iowa Corridor Habitat for Humanity President Jan Bowles at (712) 330-2858.