Business Buzz Column by Brian Blackwell

The current housing crisis continues to worsen but one local organization is bucking that trend.

Its mission may seem impossible, but Cape Area Habitat for Humanity believes a goal of building 25 homes in Cape Girardeau and other nearby communities by 2011 is achievable. That's quite an ambitious goal, considering that before 2007 the organization had built an average of one house per year.

In 2007, the first year of its goal to build 25 homes in five years, Cape Area Habitat volunteers completed four homes in Cape Girardeau, one in Sikeston, Mo., and another in Advance, Mo. This year, eight homes are already slated for construction in Southeast Missouri.

I'm not a math genius, but if the organization completes eight homes this year, it could reach its goal earlier than expected. One could surmise that Cape Area Habitat volunteers may ease up a bit on their pace, but those involved with the organization would say its mission is too great to even ponder backing down from its cause.

Thomas M. Meyer, who owns Exit Realty in Cape Girardeau and serves as president of the Cape Area Habitat board, said the need has never been greater, especially when the national and local housing market is not doing so well.

During the first six months of 2008, Cape Girardeau officials issued 24 building permits for single-family homes. That compares to 53 for the first six months of 2007. Of the permits issued in 2008 for properties in Cape Girardeau, three have been issued to Cape Area Habitat.

"Recession or no recession, the housing needs of the local Habitat-qualifying families have never been more urgent," Meyer said. "Now is not the time for Habitat to become timid and retreat from our Christian mission."

Habitat for Humanity International, a not-for-profit, nondenominational Christian housing organization founded in 1976, builds affordable homes in partnership with those in need of such housing. Each home is sold to the homeowners with no interest charged on the mortgage.

Homeowners and volunteers build the houses under trained supervision. Individuals, corporations, faith groups and others provide financial support.

Without the volunteers, Cape Area Habitat vice president Robin Cole said Habitat would fall well short of its ambitious five-year goal.

"Fundraising and volunteer raising are moving ahead briskly in the communities, and once the new resources are obtained there, three new Habitat homes will be started by these satellites," said Cole, referring to locations in Sikeston, Advance and Perryville.

While the Cape Area Habitat's volunteers oversee the work, the essence of the organization's mission is helping people help themselves. For at least 350 hours, the eventual owners are hammering nails and sawing boards alongside everyone else. They will repay their no-profit, interest-free loans over 20 years, saving about half the cost of conventional building and financing.

One such homeowner is Christy Young, who moved into her four-bedroom Cape Girardeau Habitat house in 2005.

She expressed what many recipients of the organization's labor of love feel.

"It's a peace of mind," Young said. "I know my children have a decent place to live and a great environment to grow up in."

Even though she moved into her home three years ago, Young continues to give back to an organization that has given her so much. She assists the local chapter with projects including the selection of those who apply for Habitat homes.

"This is such a rewarding organization," Young said. "We aren't continuing to help out because we want the attention from others. We are wanting to give back to an organization that gave so much to me and my family."

Brian Blackwell is the Southeast Missourian's business writer.