Habitat for Humanity reports steady build and repairs; council invited to volunteer

Richie Gobel, chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge, presented a year-end report to the Metropolitan Council on Dec. 10 outlining the organization's affordable housing work and its partnership with parish government.

Gobel said Habitat has built 426 single-family homes and repaired more than 130 homes in the greater Baton Rouge area since 1989. He told the council the affiliate has received roughly $4.7 million in parish home grant funding since 2008, which funded 49 homes; Habitat is currently building four more homes on Dayton Street that will raise that figure to 51 homes supported with parish home grant funds.

Gobel described Habitat’s homeownership model — including required sweat equity, financial literacy training and zero-interest 30-year mortgages for partner families — and cited outcomes including economic activity and property tax contributions. "Our model is unique... Our homeowners truly earn the opportunity for homeownership," he said.

Council members thanked Habitat, praised outcomes in neighborhoods such as Gardere, and invited Gobel to coordinate volunteer opportunities and council participation in build days. Gobel directed volunteers and interested residents to HabitatBRLA.org for information on volunteering, restores and other support options.

Next steps: Habitat will continue current home construction on Dayton Street; council members offered to coordinate volunteer build days and assistance on neighborhood-specific zoning or support requests.