Habitat for Humanity builds toward a brighter future

Findlay/Hancock County Habitat for Humanity is planning a public dedication ceremony of two new homes on June 26, but will not stop there. The nonprofit has plans to build two more homes this fall, with a goal of pushing that number to six homes per year soon after. Call it ambitious, but Executive Director Wendy McCormick calls it answering a need. Earlier this month, McCormick asked Findlay City Council to waive city permit fees on up to six homes per year. The city has been waiving its permit fees — most recently up to three homes per year — since the charity was established locally in 2000. Council voted unanimously to up the number to six, effective this year. A study of the housing market in Findlay/Hancock County, released in June 2020, showed a need for at least 250 new single-family homes. McCormick said the nonprofit seems to be one of the only developers capable of building homes to be affordable, with the help of hundreds of volunteers. Each Habitat home requires about 400 volunteers during the construction phase, along with the help of many others who work to support the charity behind the scenes. "We see ourselves as stepping in to help fill that gap of affordable, family homes," she said. McCormick said Habitat for Humanity is also doubling down on its critical home repair program. The program currently helps about 25 homeowners per year with emergency repairs like hot water heaters, furnaces, roofs, ramps and more. Over the next three or four years, the goal is to increase that number to 50 homeowners per year. There are about 15 homeowners on a waiting list for needed repairs. However, before the group launches into its next endeavor, it's planning a celebration to dedicate two new homes built at 2028 and 2032 Harrison St., where it also plans to thank longtime benefactors Jane and Gary Heminger. Heminger, the former CEO of Marathon Petroleum Corp., retired in March 2020. The open house will include tours of the new homes and a fellowship breakfast following the dedication ceremony. A tree will be planted to recognize the Hemingers' service to Habitat for Humanity and to the community "on so many issues," said McCormick. "We need to pause for a minute and recognize that they have been a really big part of making Findlay what it is today," she said. The event begins at 9 a.m. and is expected to last about an hour. McCormick said the chapter is accepting applications for homeownership. "We know there is a lot of need out there, so if you need help, contact us and let's get you involved in the program. We do a lot of preeducation and work one on one with families," she said. Habitat homeowners purchase the home with a low-interest mortgage. Payments over the course of 30 years, minus the interest, go back into building the program. "None of our Habitat homeowners have faced foreclosure due to nonpayment, not even during the COVID-19 pandemic, which shows the stability our services can provide," she said. More information on Findlay/Hancock County Habitat for Humanity, along with applications for homeownership, is available online at www.habitatfindlay.org Grant: 419-427-8412