Local organizations support building of simple, decent, affordable housing
All money to build Habitat for Humanity homes in Ravalli County is raised locally. There are no paid staff members. Habitat for Humanity depends on the support of community volunteers and businesses for its success.
Don Johnston, President of Sterling Savings Bank, said of the bank’s $500 gift, “We recognize the importance of the Habitat for Humanity program to local families and consider it an important community investment.” Habitat also received $1,000 from the Town Pump Charitable Foundation and $5,000 from the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation. In addition to approximately $16,000 worth of solar panels for the current home, Northwestern Energy also gave $750 to the organization in the form of a grant.
“These generous grants make an incredible difference in our ability to build homes,” said Jessica Burson, President of Habitat for Humanity of Ravalli County. “We rely on our community to make the dream of homeownership possible for deserving families in need. Their homes would not be possible without these gifts. We are incredibly thankful these organizations have chosen to help bring hope through housing to local families.”
Habitat for Humanity of Ravalli County has previously built homes in Hamilton, Corvallis and Darby. The homes are not given away. Families are chosen to partner with Habitat for Humanity through a thorough selection process that assesses their need for a home and ability to repay the no-interest mortgage. Habitat partner families also contribute 500 hours of sweat equity toward their houses as part of the home ownership program.
Habitat for Humanity selected its newest partner family in January. Travis and Venessa Sanderson grew up in the Bitterroot Valley. Travis works for Swift, trucking supplies regionally. He and Vanessa have three children, Kalhan (7), Jazmyn (6), and Gabriel (1). Their home is being built at 702 Cherry Street in Hamilton.
The Sandersons’ current housing is inadequate. It is cramped, poorly insulated and the rent payment takes up a substantial portion of their income, more than their Habitat mortgage will. Habitat for Humanity’s partner family program provides them with the opportunity to own a simple, decent, affordable home that would otherwise be beyond their reach. As other Habitat homes have done for past partner families, the Sandersons’ house will help break the cycle of poverty for their family and offer their children hope for a better future.
“It feels like a ton of bricks came off of me,” said Travis. “This is coming from a truck driver that is away from home. I don’t have to worry about my family. They will be in a safe house.” He and Vanessa are enjoying working on their home with friends, family and community members.
Habitat for Humanity hopes to finish the Sandersons’ home by June 30 and requests gifts of labor, money and materials in order to do so. Additional grants and items such finishing and landscaping materials will enable the organization achieve that goal and move the Sandersons from inadequate to new, safe housing soon.
Volunteer opportunities are available in many areas. Community members from all walks of life can help in a variety of ways, regardless of age or experience. Everyone is welcome to help and to be a part of this incredible, life changing experience that provides hope and opportunity to deserving local partner families. To find out how you can help, call 381-6441.