Habitat for Humanity reports 18 builds, $1 million in ARPA repairs and volunteer drives in Athens area

Courtney Archbald, community engagement director for Habitat for Humanity, told the June meeting of the Athens City Affordable Housing Commission that Habitat's southeast Ohio service area completed, rehabilitated or recycled 18 homes in the past fiscal year, including 14 new builds and seven new homes in Athens County.

"We built, rehabbed, or recycled 18 homes," Archbald said, noting 50% of the new builds were in Athens County. She said the organization completed more than 100 critical home repairs funded through American Rescue Plan Act allocations, receiving "over a million dollars" for those repairs, chiefly for HVAC and heating and cooling needs.

The presentation outlined partnerships and upcoming events. Archbald said Habitat partnered with the Survivor Advocacy Outreach Program to build three homes in Nelsonville for graduates of that program, and that two homes were completed for Habitat employees. She invited commission members to a home dedication June 25 at 11447 Post and Salem Road and promoted volunteer opportunities for a two-story build at 9 Johnson Road and for Project Playhouse, a fundraising event that has raised more than $25,000 this year.

Commissioners asked for clarifications on program definitions and access. Archbald explained the difference between a "rehab" (work on an existing house with a structurally sound shell) and a "recycle" (reusing an existing build after limited work to place a new family). She confirmed Habitat's eight-county service area as Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Fairfield, Perry, Muskingum, Morgan and Noble counties.

Questions from commissioners also covered whether Habitat is pursuing a community land trust model (Archbald deferred to Executive Director Ken for details), training access for seniors (she referred members to Molly Blair, training center director), and income guidelines for the home-repair program (Archbald said guidelines are tied to grant cycles and that updated information should be posted on Habitat's website by the end of the following week).

Archbald said about 90% of Habitat homes are volunteer-built and urged community groups and teams to consider build days. She also announced a new advocacy group, Athens Habitat Ambassadors, seeking members to help with volunteer coordination, fundraising and outreach.

The commission followed the presentation with an extended Q&A on program access, partnerships with land banks and operational details. The Habitat presentation closed with thanks and an invitation for follow-up questions and volunteer sign-ups.

The commission did not take formal action on Habitat proposals at this meeting; Archbald said staff and the executive director would provide additional information on specific items such as the community land trust exploration and updated income guidelines.