MUSCATINE, Iowa–Less than a year after Muscatine County Area Habitat for Humanity broke ground on their 13th house build April 11, 2022, they celebrated the building’s dedication and having the Ross family take possession of it Feb. 10. An opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments of this build and look forward to the excitement of the next, the dedication brought together many community leaders.
At the ceremony, Habitat for Humanity leadership and volunteers, including Muscatine County Area Habitat for Humanity Director Don Lampe, said a few words about the occasion, offering their thanks to the many organizations that helped bring it to life. Reflecting on the build prior to the ceremony, Lampe reflected, “one thing that really sticks out on this house was the community involvement,” noting that many local businesses, including Grain Processing Corporation, HNI, the HON Company, KENT Corporation, and Union Tank Car, sent volunteers out to assist with the build. Because of all the volunteers who lent time and expertise to the project, it took only about six to seven months to complete the work, a shorter time frame than a typical Habitat for Humanity build.
They also offered their prayers for the Ross family, wishing them the best as they start their time as homeowners. “It’s really about handing them the keys and turning over the house,” Lampe stressed.
Though Lampe always feels good to get partner families into their homes, he always feels a little sad that only one family could get a home that day. “It’s also one of the happiest days, but it’s also a sad day,” he mused.
With those thoughts in mind, Lampe has already started the search for the next partner family. To help make homeownership possible for people who could benefit from a hand up, Habitat for Humanity looks for people who find themselves in a difficult situation, making too much money to qualify for federal, state, or local housing assistance but not making enough to get a traditional loan. They also seek families with enough income to pay off a no interest loan on their home, and who currently live in an unsuitable situation, such as in an apartment too small for the number of family members or a dwelling with deficiencies such as serious mold or extreme draftiness, among others concerns.
For their 14th house build, Muscatine County Area Habitat for Humanity will work with Muscatine County’s Ignite Vitality Through Workforce Housing partners to create a 3D printed home in the Mulberry revitalization corridor. “We want to continue to work with the city and the Community Foundation and MCSA to improve that area,” Lampe explained. He looks forward to this build particularly, as it will make them the first Habitat for Humanity organization in Iowa to embrace 3D printing technology to create a house for a partner family.
If your family or a family you know would make a good candidate for a partner family, Lampe encourages youto learn more about the expectations for a partner family and to start the application process by visiting the Muscatine County Area Habitat for Humanity website.
