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Habitat For Humanity To Return To Perry County


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Habitat for Humanity will be returning to Perry County this year with the hope that it will be able to resume building homes early next spring.

Perry County Habitat for Humanity went out of business a few years ago and transferred their assets to Athens County Habitat for Humanity. Since then, Athens County Habitat has combined with two other Habitat affiliates to create Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio – an affiliate serving Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Morgan, Noble and Perry County.

“Coming back to build in Perry County was always a priority for me since we merged” says Kenneth Oehlers, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio. “Affordable, decent housing and the need to eliminate substandard housing is an issue in all of Southeast Ohio, including many villages in Perry County. Habitat for Humanity is excited to work with residents in the county and village officials to build new homes and revitalize neighborhoods.”

Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with families to provide them with simple, decent, affordable homes. Habitat families have to work alongside volunteers while building the home, after the home is built, Habitat families must pay a zero interest mortgage back to Habitat. Habitat takes those funds and reinvests them into additional homes. Habitat homes are simple, but very energy efficient.

Habitat hopes to begin construction on their next home in Perry County in Spring of 2015. Habitat relies on private donations and grants in order to build homes and is not government subsidized. While Habitat has secured a few grants and sponsorships for the home, Habitat is still looking for some community partners who would like to be involved. “Community is essential to the success of Habitat” says Oehlers. “We need people to volunteer, donate and provide input in order for our program to be successful. Any donations that are given will stay in Perry County for projects in Perry County.”

Habitat is looking for individuals who would like to get involved. If you would like to get involved, or would like to donate to the next home being built in Perry County, please contact Kenneth Oehlers, Executive Director at 740-592-0032 ext. 101 or kenneth@habtiatseo.org