Habitat official- Interested families often hard to find

Although two qualified families are in the works for Habitat for Humanity homes this year, the group would like a third.

Cape Girardeau Habitat executive director Bob Bohnsack said it is often hard to find interested families because the program "is not a giveaway, but more of a hand-up."

Those living in substandard housing can become Habitat homeowners as long as they are willing to work for it.

By putting in 350 of what the group calls "sweat equity hours," families work alongside community volunteers during construction and learn about drywall, painting, electricity and plumbing.

This is part of the reason Barbara Port, member of the Habitat for Humanity family selection committee, believes interest in the program has not been overwhelming.

"They don't want to do the work and it takes too long," Port said of uninterested families.

A Habitat house typically involves a year's worth of labor and more years to pay off the mortgage, which has been reduced by one-third. Families are only billed for materials, some of which have been donated or provided at reduced cost.

Monthly payments are around $300.

"For many people, it's less than the rent they are paying," Port said.

Twenty-three Habitat homes have been built in the area over the past 15 years.

There will be an informational meeting about Habitat for Humanity and how to qualify at 7 p.m. April 12 at the Salvation Army Building, 701 Good Hope St.

In order to save time, those who plan to attend are asked to bring rent and utility receipts and any records of debts to speed up the qualification process, which includes credit, police and landlord checks.

cpierce@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127