Building better lives for 25 years

FINDLAY — Habitat for Humanity in Findlay-Hancock County is celebrating 25 years of building homes and supporting households in the community, one family at a time. To commemorate the occasion, the organization will host a celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Riverside Park. "We just wanted to do something that was a public thank-you, as well as a public open house for everyone," Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity Findlay-Hancock County Wendy McCormick said. "By being out in the middle of a park, listening and talking with people, we hope it keeps us in tune with what the needs of the community really are." The organization has grown from a grassroots volunteer effort to a cornerstone of support for low-income or struggling families in the region. Since its first house dedication on Nov. 4, 2000, Habitat has built 64 homes and completed over 200 home repair projects. In 2007, McCormick became the first paid employee at the local agency, serving as the Executive Director. At that point, Habitat had completed 12 homes. Sixty-four houses later, the group is planning a 20-home neighborhood within the Krystal Ride Addition subdivision in Findlay, with an expected completion date in 2027. Much of the organization's efforts are supported by its ReStore location. In 2020, ReStore Committee Chairman Jerry Hawkins helped raise $125,000 for the start-up equipment and renovations of the store's first location on Tiffin Avenue. During his tenure as chairman from 2008-16, the net revenue for ReStore exceeded $600,000 in funds. In 2024, the retail thrift store generated 40% of Habitat's income, supporting initiatives through selling donated furniture and other items. "It was a game changer for us," McCormick said. "That's when we really could start with the number of homes we were building here." ReStore's 15-year impact • 40% of Habitat's income • $3 million in revenue • 300,000 shoppers served • $1.3 million donated items Repairing neighborhoods Another aspect of Habitat's work is its home repair program. Launched in 2013, the program is designed to assist low-income homeowners as well as the elderly in fixing urgent repairs such as roofing, heating and plumbing. To be eligible, applicants must own a home, have lived there for at least two years, and meet the required income eligibility. "Based on the need, if there's no heat or no water for instance, then we'll act really quickly," McCormick said. "The family still has to do a couple hours of sweat equity. We are working with a lot of elderly, so we get creative, but we do find a job for everybody. They can even earn sweat equity by serving lunch to the volunteers and to the crew." In honor of 25 years, Habitat is doubling its repair goals and completing 50 repairs this year, including replacing 25 roofs. "We really pride ourselves in being able to help families who are in crisis and work with them," McCormick said. "We're also the only agency that's doing critical home repair with mobile homes. We want to make sure that we address the needs of our local area and we're proud to be able to serve those families as well." Habitat reviews all applicants, visits homes and evaluates if there are any additional needs such as handicap showers or ramps needed in the home. Bathroom modifications and wheelchair accessible ramps are the most frequent repairs. "We're blessed to have a ramp ministry that's been with us," McCormick said. "It's a group of volunteers and they address every ramp in our community. They've done well over 200 ramps in the last 15 years and they're still going." Habitat also assists many seniors who have not left their homes in months due to mobility issues or lack of support systems. "I'm most proud of the elderly that we serve in the repair program," McCormick said. "They just want to stay at home for as long as they possibly can and take care of themselves. To have that trusted relationship, knowing that, not only will we do the work, but we'll back the work up and we'll be there for them. That has really been life changing." Home repair not only benefits those in need, but creates a ripple effect across neighborhoods, said McCormick. "We've seen a whole neighborhood start to change," McCormick said. "As we go in and replace windows or replace siding on a home, the neighbors start to watch and they start to work on their homes." Financial coaching In 2021, the Habitat for Humanity in Findlay-Hancock County became the first in the country to provide a Financial Opportunity Center. The free program offers one-on-one coaching in budgeting, financial literacy, debt management and job readiness. Partnering with The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation and other coalitions, Habitat identified a resounding issue with families — financial stability. "it is a free service that offers coaching to families, whatever they may need," McCormick said. "We've helped with taxes and all kinds of things." The project brings together eight coalitions in Hancock County, including housing, transportations, workforce development and mental health coalitions, aligning services and solutions to participants. "It's serving hundreds of individuals and helping families save, pay down debt and free up more income on a monthly basis," McCormick said. "It's really making a huge impact on families that way." FOC impact: • 735 individuals supported • 973 families served • $595 average increase in monthly net income for attendees • 45-point increase in credit scores • 67% job placement rate • $16.42 average hourly wage placements • 17 active Habitat family supported • 147 UNIFI (individuals receiving electronic devices and digital resources" • 91 workforce graduates Journey to homeownership For families wishing to start their own path to homeownership with Habitat, it begins with an online application and a multi-year program including financial education, community involvement and home maintenance training. Interested families must qualify for a 30-year mortgage loan offered at 0%, complete around 400 hours of "sweat equity," meet income guidelines and go through a screening process. "We're taking anywhere from 150 to 200 applications a year," McCormick said. "We'll work with anybody who's willing to do the work and we have a wonderful pool of candidates. We really recommend if anybody's interested, they get started now because it takes a while for them to get through the program." Staff and volunteers are available throughout the program to support families through the process. "The whole mental health and relieving of that stress to have a wonderful place to live and raise your family, that's all our families desire," McCormick said. According to McCormick, 70% of Habitat's families are single-parent households working hard to provide a safe and stable environment for their children. "To have something that's a legacy now that they can leave to their children is really impactful," McCormick said. "A lot of our families share that same story over and over again." According to a 2023 housing study conducted by the Affordable Housing Alliance, the housing market has tightened and overall occupancy and rent have nearly doubled during the past three years. "A lot of our families were renters before moving into a home of their own and it really was just a dream," McCormick said. "They didn't know how they would ever achieve it." Looking ahead In 2024, Habitat acquired land from the Koehler and Croy families within the Krystal Ridge subdivision on the north side of Findlay. At the time of purchase, the organization was down to three pieces of land in their inventory. "This is our next phase of neighborhood development," McCormick said. "They had it all developed and it was build-ready, so we could just jump right in." The organization has several upcoming initiatives to honor its 25th anniversary including a "Sundae Sunday" at the Mazza Museum and a LEGO house building contest at the Hancock County Fair. A special celebration will be held on Nov. 4, the day Habitat dedicated its first home 25 years ago. Building on the success of the Financial Opportunity Center, Habitat is looking at launching a microlending program through the center. The new program would offer small loans to help families in crisis without the scary interest rates and skyrocketing debt. Loans would be given out to those with unexpected expenses or families in crisis. "You see a lot of payday lenders around town where they offer instant money," McCormick said. "Those loans have very, very high interest rates. It might be a $300 loan, but by the time you pay the interest and pay the loan back, you could be over $1,000. Families who might be in crisis and need a short-term loan for a flat tire or something else can hopefully, through the Financial Opportunity Center, be able to do microlending soon. That's a new initiative we hope to soft launch this year." The organization is also looking at creating an interim housing program, offering an affordable living option for families paying high rent while waiting for a home to be built. "We are exploring an interim housing program, where families that are trying to pay those debts down, but their rent is so high and they have no disposable income, we could provide them an interim solution that's very affordable while they're on their way to their home or while their home is being built," McCormick said. For the next 25 years, McCormick said she wants more: more families served, more neighborhoods transformed, more partnerships, more repairs and more contributions to the community. For more information, or to begin an application, visit the agency's website at habitatfindlay.org.