Habitat for Humanity seeks urgent funding to combat housing crisis

During a recent government meeting, representatives from Habitat for Humanity presented an update on their ongoing projects and specific funding requests aimed at addressing the housing crisis in Cowitz County. Diane and Molly from Habitat outlined four key funding needs, emphasizing their alignment with the county's affordable housing initiatives.

The first request is for $189 to complete a home in Lexington, marking the fifth Habitat home in the area. The second request seeks $95,000 for the Brushwood Kindness project, which assists low-income seniors and veterans with essential home repairs to maintain their residences. The third request involves $375,000 for the development of 14 new homes on a property acquired from the old Kelso High School, which Habitat aims to expedite due to the urgent need for affordable housing. Lastly, they are requesting $60,000 for hiring an additional site supervisor to support their expanding programs.

Habitat representatives highlighted their commitment to ensuring that families contribute to their homes through a \"sweat equity\" model, where each family is required to invest a minimum of 500 hours of work. This model has resulted in zero foreclosures in the county over the past 20 years, showcasing the effectiveness of their approach.

The discussion also touched on the organization's financial sustainability, with Habitat confirming that they do not incur debt when building homes, as they secure at least 50% of the necessary funds upfront. This strategy has contributed to their stability and success in the community.

In addition to Habitat's presentation, the meeting included a review of proposed changes to the Veterans Relief Fund policies. The Veterans Advisory Board recommended updates to improve assistance for eligible veterans, including increasing financial aid limits and streamlining application processes. Changes include raising the maximum assistance for food and rent, adding new categories for school supplies, and adjusting requirements for utility assistance.

Overall, the meeting underscored the ongoing efforts to enhance housing support and resources for both low-income families and veterans in Cowitz County, with a focus on sustainable solutions and community involvement.