Habitat for Humanity seeks family for new home

WASILLA — Habitat for Humanity Mat-Su is in a position any cash-strapped non-profit might envy, but which nevertheless has it stymied.

“We have money to build a house,” said Israel Nelson, who the organization’s board of directors has asked to publicize the problem. “We’re having difficulty recruiting a family.”

The way the program works, Nelson said, is that the family that gets the home actually has to pay for it, but the price is reduced. The loan is a no-interest loan and a lot of labor and materials costs are donated. The family also has to put in at least 300 hours of work.

“We don’t just give the house away,” Nelson said.

To qualify, the family has to be employed. Habitat for Humanity will look at the family’s credit and employment histories.

“They also, of course, are looking at the need of the family,” Nelson said.

For instance, if the family contains a handicapped child, the board would see a greater need there. Nelson said he’s not 100 percent certain why no one is applying to get into a Habitat house.

“People are scared. The real estate market has been very, very difficult for the last several months,” Nelson said. “We think potential buyers are afraid to get tied into a mortgage.”

It could also be that the reduced price isn’t quite incentive enough for people these days.

“People can go get loans for ridiculously low rates and get into houses that they don’t have to do anything to build,” Nelson said. “That’s kind of chipped away at an excitement about our project.”

Habitat for Humanity has several lots it can build on. The lots come in through donations or were purchased outright.

“The lot we have right now that’s ready for a house is over on the Springer Loop system” just up the street from a previous Habitat project house.

Nelson said he hopes the program can overcome this hurdle and has faith that it will.

“We know that there’s a family out there that could benefit from this,” he said.

To apply, stop by the Habitat offices on Hyer Spur Road underneath Double Eagle Real Estate or call 373-7278.

Contact Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.