Habitat plans Energy Star Home, seeks skilled volunteers

The Putnam County Habitat for Humanity Construction Committee has found that building a Habitat house is a process, not an event. The local Habitat affiliate has spent the past two years going through the checklist that leads up to the actual construction of a home. The Family Selection Committee is currently interviewing prospective families who meet the Habitat criterion and will name the first partner family in early October. The site selection committee is securing building sites and it is now time for the construction committee to nail down its plan for a Spring 2010 build.

Habitat for Humanity International has recommended that an Energy Star rating be the standard in Habitat Homes. Putnam County Habitat has decided that its first house will be an Energy Star Home. Some of the requirements of an Energy Star rated home include: insulating to Energy Star standards, advanced framing techniques, use of environmentally friendly materials, and proper ventilation. In addition to providing the Habitat family with a comfortable home, the Energy Star program minimizes their monthly utility bills. An Energy Star rating may also qualify the project for more corporate donated materials.

At this time, Putnam County Habitat is looking for people with construction experience to serve as crew leaders who will supervise 3-5 volunteers at the building site. There will be approximately 4 crews on each day of construction. Crew leaders are not expected to volunteer for every day of construction. If you are knowledgeable in one or all phases of house construction and would like to be part of Putnam County’s first Habitat house, contact the Habitat office at 419 523-9621, email at pcohhabitat@putnamohhabitat.org or visit the office in the Ottawa Presbyterian Church, 150 North Oak Street, Ottawa. Office hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 am to Noon. If you have any questions please call Tom Bauer at 523-5999 after 6pm.

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit ecumenical Christian housing ministry that seeks to eliminate poverty housing from our communities, our nation and the world. Habitat partners with low-income families to build simple, decent, affordable homes. Partner families must be willing to invest 350 sweat equity hours to build their home and demonstrate the ability to repay a 20 year no interest, no profit mortgage.