From Carol Holmes,

Habitat for Humanity of Green County Board of Directors

To the Editor:

Green County has a need for affordable housing. Habitat for Humanity of Green County builds affordable homes and repairs existing homes. In order to remain in good standing with Habitat for Humanity International, we need to build a new home every three years. This is our third year so not building will place our good standing status at risk. 

We have an unusual problem. We are looking for two families who wish to become homeowners in Monroe. We have purchased a lot at 509 and 511 3rd Ave. We have architectural plans for a duplex that can accommodate two families of 1-4 people each. They will be three-bedroom, two-bathroom bathroom houses with attached garages. We are signing contracts with sub-contractors to do excavation, concrete, plumbing, electrical, and heating work. To date we have had one applicant. We ask fellow citizens to help us get the word out. This issue has become urgent as we begin work in early July. We need to have our families identified before we can go much further.  

Habitat homes offer a significant opportunity. Because we use many volunteers, labor costs are reduced and the mortgage is significantly less than the assessed value. We charge NO INTEREST on the 30-year loan, and we customarily find grants that cover the down payment. We estimate that each house will cost between $140K and $150K.

Our original goal was to build for veteran families. So far, no veterans have applied. While veterans continue to be a priority, we will partner with other eligible families. To qualify a family must demonstrate need for affordable housing by showing that they could not qualify for a conventional loan, show that they could pay mortgage payments, have a history of meeting financial obligations and be able and willing to work in constructing the house. 

We have received help in getting the word out from Green County media, churches, and veteran organizations. Now we ask the people of Green County to help identify potential families, and share information with them. More information, and the application, can be found at Habitat’s website, greencountyhabitat.org, via email at admin@greencountyhabitat.org, or by calling 608-329-4024.  

This is a win-win for the two families (or individuals) and for Green County’s economy as the houses will be on the tax rolls.  

Please help us spread the word. Thank you.