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Geauga Habitat is back in home-building mode
(by Joan Demirjian - May 26, 2010)
Geauga Habitat is back in home-building mode
By JOAN DEMIRJIAN
After tough economic times, Geauga County Habitat for Humanity is gearing up for home-building activity.
Habitat will build a home for a family in Chagrin Falls Park in Bainbridge, starting in July.
"We're excited to get back to Chagrin Falls Park," Christine Bucknell, Habitat director, said.
Habitat has built over 40 homes in the Park, and the newest house will be built on a lot on Dayton Street.
It is one of seven Habitat projects planned in the next 2 1/2 years. Two houses will be renovated in the county and four houses will be built in Middlefield.
Some of the difficulties of building in Geauga County are posed by land costs, Ms. Bucknell said.
On the west end, lots are limited to three- and five-acre lots and are costly, she said. And in the more rural areas, there is less available developed land. "Finding affordable lots to build on is difficult," she said.
To address that situation, Geauga Habitat is working on a new endeavor to provide a long-term sustainable source of revenue for its work in helping hardworking low- to moderate-income families build affordable homes in Geauga County.
Habitat is opening a Habitat Restore at the organization's new headquarters at 12180 Kinsman Road (Route 87) in Newbury. It is west of Ravenna Road (Route 44).
As the organization faces the rising cost of land to build on, the store "should help us raise funds and awareness," Ms. Bucknell said.
Meredith Ashkettle was hired to manage the store. She said the new store offers donated items that include new or slightly used surplus building materials, household appliances, furnishings and other household items.
Donations come from area builders, remodelers, retailers and individuals, Ms. Ashkettle said.
Al Zack is chairman of the Restore start-up committee, and volunteers are being sought to run the store. There is one paid person. Habitat needs drivers and cashiers and help to process inventory, price items and provide customer service.
The store will be an outlet for donated new and slightly used tools and surplus construction materials, along with furniture, cabinets, flooring, appliances, housewares and other household items, Ms. Ashkettle said. There will be doors, windows and lighting fixtures. No clothes or mattresses will be sold in the store.
Shoppers are often the same people who donate are also do-it-yourselfers, treasure hunters and people who are feeling the pinch of the current economy, Ms. Ashkettle said.
Restore will create a sustainable source of funds and provide recycling opportunities for items that might otherwise be put out for trash pickup and end up in landfills. It will also help increase Habitat's visibility in the community, she said.
The idea is to not dump it, but donate it and deduct it. Many people do not know what to do with items. They can call Habitat and have it picked up for the store. "We can pick it up for free by Two Men and A Truck, who have offered their services," Ms. Ashkettle said. Items also can be dropped off at the store.
"We anticipate it will be jam-packed," and there will be many unique items, including antiques, Ms. Bucknell said. Some new lighting fixtures were recently donated for the store. Everything will be about 50 percent to 70 percent off retail price.
Those who would like to donate can call the store at (440) 564-7475.
The grand opening of the 5,300-square-foot store will be July 16. It initially will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.
Geauga Habitat's garage sale was a pilot for Restore. The first one raised $3,700 and the second one generated $10,000, Ms. Bucknell said.
Habitat also holds annual appeals and a Swim for Habitat at the Chagrin Valley Athletic Club in Bainbridge helped raise funds.
Last year, a Passport to the World wine- and beer-tasting event was held at Eagle Creek in Bainbridge. This year, it will be held Sept. 18 at Breezewood Gardens in Bainbridge.
Through Habitat, families can purchase houses by paying a no-interest loan, with no money down. The Habitat families put in 500 sweat-equity hours and work with volunteers in the construction of the homes. To date, Habitat has built 69 homes and renovated two houses in Geauga County.
At 11 a.m. June 19 at the Middlefield Public Library, Habitat representatives will talk to families to determine eligibility for the houses. They will learn about the programs, how to partner with Habitat and participate in the four Middlefield house, Ms. Bucknell said.
Habitat has been awarded an $190,000 grant from Ohio Housing Finance Agency for building the four homes in Middlefield.
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