In the News
July 12, 2010
Habitat for Humanity achieves No. 8 on the ‘Builder 100' list
Due to the combined building efforts of U.S. affiliates, volunteers and donors, Habitat for Humanity recently achieved the rank of No. 8 on the 2009 Builder 100 list, marking the first time Habitat has been among the top 10 biggest builders in the United States.
Putnam County Habitat for Humanity rises to new level
by Laura Gwinn- Herald-Citizen-7/5/10
Habitat's current board president Rodney Laulo, left, is pictured with Randal Petrie, past board president; Pam Ealey, executive director of Putnam County Habitat for Humanity; and Mike Porten, past board president, looking over a map trying to determine areas that need rehabilitation as part of a new nationwide initiative Putnam HFH has been chosen to participate in. Herald-Citizen Photo/Ty Kernea COOKEVILLE -- The Putnam County Habitat for Humanity has been selected to participate in Habitat for Humanity International's initial phase of its Neighborhood Revitalization program. That effort will focus on improving housing conditions while partnering with other community organizations to provide services that enhance the overall quality of life across struggling neighborhoods.
"We are very excited to have been selected to be one of only 55 affiliates in the first 'working group' of this new initiative of Habitat's," Pam Ealey, executive director of the Putnam County HFH, said. "Everyone on our team is ready to do all they can to support this adventure."
As part of the first phase, Putnam County Habitat for Humanity will receive training and guidance on how to revitalize communities through a variety of housing solutions and community.
"The affiliates selected to take part in the first phase of the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative are a diverse group so that we can learn how NRI will work in as many different affiliate situations as possible," said Larry Gluth, senior vice president of Habitat's U.S. and Canada area. "We'll take lessons learned from this first phase and incorporate them as the program expands over time. This initiative adds another dimension to our mission of providing families with decent, affordable places to live."
Through this initiative, Putnam County HFH will work with other community organizations to determine the projects that will be carried out locally. Habitat services may include new house construction, rehabilitation of vacant and foreclosed properties, house repairs for low-income homeowners, and weatherization to make houses more energy-efficient and affordable.
"This is a 2-to-3 year process, so while each of us care deeply about housing issues across the country, I would just ask not to be called tomorrow morning on a repair or rehab project just yet," Ealey said with a laugh. "An important ingredient in the success of this initiative includes developing strong partnerships with our local municipalities. I'm looking forward to having future conversations with our county and city government leaders."
"I am very excited to hear this news from Habitat and I believe it says a lot about our own local Habitat affiliate to be selected in this new working group for this initiative," Kim Blaylock, county executive said. "I know I'm looking forward to seeing more families in our county served and neighborhoods transformed through more partnerships with this work of Habitat and the generosity of Putnam County citizens, as volunteers and donors to the projects."
George Halford, president/CEO of the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, said this will take Habitat to new heights.
"We're proud of Putnam County Habitat for Humanity being chosen among the first Habitat affiliates in the U.S. to be involved in the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative," he said. "Reaching beyond the traditional model of building new homes to improving existing neighborhoods will have a significant economic impact on our communities. This is really taking Habitat to the next level and we thank Pam Ealey, Habitat executive director, for her leadership."
Of the other 55 affiliates chosen to be in the working group of the initiative, the other is the Greater Memphis Habitat for Humanity. Those not selected for the working group (the launch group) include Cleveland Habitat for Humanity and Loudon County Habitat for Humanity.
"If we are going to help families thrive in healthy neighborhoods, we have to direct some significant efforts into healing America's troubled communities," Jonathan Rockford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International, said. "These affiliates will work together to develop strategies and create strong networks that can address individual neighborhood issues."
For more information about the Putnam County Habitat for Humanity, visit them online at www.pchabitat.org or call 528-1711.
We're dedicating our new neighborhood!
You're invited to join us Thursday, July 15th at 7pm for the celebration.
________________________________________________________________________________
Habitat newest project is 'green'
by Laura Gwinn- Herald-Citizen-5/21/10
This rendering shows the design of what one of the new Habitat EarthCraft houses will look like.
COOKEVILLE -- Those who drive in the area of Burgess School Road may notice some dirt being moved and the construction of a road currently underway.
The project is an unnamed subdivision being built by the Putnam County Habitat for Humanity.
"We hope to be done by early 2012," Pam Ealey, executive director of the Putnam County Habitat, said. "We're aiming for construction to begin in the late summer."
Ten homes will be built on eight acres of land, which was purchased by Habitat two years ago. Each house will be EarthCraft certified and EnergyStar rated. So far, Habitat has built two EnergyStar rated homes, but this subdivision will be a new venture for them in the EarthCraft construction.
"The board decided last summer to go to into EarthCraft construction," Ealey said. "We're one of two Energy Star builders in the area."
Habitat Board President Rodney Laulo is eager to show the positive impact this development will have on the community.
"This will be great for the community," Laulo said. "It will have such a positive impact and this will be the first fully-developed subdivision that Habitat will have, which is a big step.
"We're also putting a little extra into this neighborhood, trying to match the quality of the houses and elevate the value of the houses in the neighborhood with the other houses being built in the area. We're also going to increase the visual appeal of the house."
Each EarthCraft home will include advanced energy efficiency features to reduce utility bills, water conservation to save valuable water, EnergyStar lighting and appliances to save on energy use, resource-efficient house design and construction techniques to minimize the impact on landfills and healthy indoor air quality for comfort.
EarthCraft is a joint development of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association and Southface that pairs building science training with regional know-how so home builders can create homes suited for the climate conditions of this region.
"Homes that are certified through the Earthcarft program must achieve at least 150 points based on a checklist that addresses eight major categories: site planning, resource efficiency, energy efficiency, waste management, indoor air quality, water conservation, homebuyer education, and builder operations," engineer Bob Faulhaber said. "The builder must complete training in the Earthcraft program and register with the Greater Atlanta Homebuilders association in order to become an Earthcraft builder.
"Earthcraft provides a thorough, yet common sense approach to constructing homes that are healthy and comfortable, energy efficient and environmentally friendly," Faulhaber continued. "I believe strongly in building 'green' but I understand that it has to be cost effective and practical. I believe that Earthcraft achieves those goals and I can't think of any better organization to demonstrate that than Habitat. I am involved with a lot of green building programs and I think that Earthcraft is the most practical and common sense program for homes."
Ealey hopes to have a dedication of the neighborhood in July, prior to the groundbreaking. Pastor Charles McCaskey will be naming the subdivision.
"These houses will be built well for the environment," Ealey said. "All of our new construction is energy efficient and that helps the homeowner in saving money on their bills to put toward paying off the mortgage."
Habitat also dedicated its 55th house May 15 to Linda Evans. It also was the fifth Cooking on the Square sponsored home -- and Habitat's second EnergyStar home.
The first EnergyStar home is in Algood.
Faulhaber said he is looking forward to providing high quality, healthy and environmentally houses to families that deserve to have place to call home.
"I am also looking forward to showing everyone that Habitat for Humanity in Putnam County is leading by example by building to Earthcraft standards -- something that no one else in Putnam County is currently doing," he said.
Those interested in Habitat homes must go through a lengthy process to get into the home.
"We do not just hand these houses out," Ealey said.
Each prospective homeowner goes through a number of classes upon filling out an application. They must meet credit requirements to be able to pay back the mortgage, attend home ownership classes on budgeting and being energy conservative and meeting the sweat equity requirement.
"Land is a huge need because we have a goal of building more homes," Laulo said. "Monetary donations are also needed, but donations do not have to be in the form of money. People can donate items to our ReStore warehouse and through our new Deconstruction program. We'll come and pick up items."
Anyone willing to help out by volunteering or donating to the organization can call Ealey at 528-1711, ext. 1, or by e-mailing pam@pchabitat.org.
Latest Habitat resident celebrates new house
by Megan Trotter- Heald-Citizen- 5/21/10
COOKEVILLE -- Linda Evans attended the dedication of her new home through Habitat for Humanity this past weekend, celebrating with the volunteers who helped provide her with a safe place to live.
"It's a blessing," said Evans. "God is good!"
Originally from Michigan, Evans moved to Florida where she stayed for 13 years. After surviving two strokes, she lost her job and her home and decided to move to Tennessee to be near family who could help. She moved into a small house that was in poor condition, and has lived there for the past six years.
She heard about the Putnam County Habitat for Humanity where those in need can enter the program to get them into housing away from poor conditions and into a safe home. Those who enter the program work 400 hours helping build their own home, other Habitat homes, working in the ReStore and attending education classes. Applicants then pay for the home with a zero interest mortgage.
It took Evans about two years to complete all the requirements to get into her new home.
"I said, 'Okay, God, if you want me to have a house, please give it to me, if you don't want me to have a house, well, say no.' I waited and waited and then I was approved!" said Evans.
The house is a two bedroom, one bath home. When asked about her favorite part about the house, Evans replied, "Everything. I'm so humbled by it. And it's not anything I did -- it's what God did."
For more information about Habitat for Humanity, visit their office at 728 E. 15th St. in Cookeville or call 931-528-1711 Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., or visit www.pchabitat.org.
Putnam Habitat celebrates 15 years
Laura Gwinn
Herald-Citizen Staff
Tuesday, Mar 23, 2010
Amelia Tritico, Habitat for Humanity intern, left, and Pam Ealey, Habitat executive director, open the doors to the public to see what goes on behind the scenes at Habitat for Humanity as the organization celebrates 15 years this Friday.
PUTNAM COUNTY -- Those interested in finding out what exactly goes on behind the scenes of Habitat for Humanity can do just that during the organization's 15th anniversary celebration and open house Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 728 E. 15th St. in Cookeville. "We want to recognize the commitment of our community to help us through our first 15 years and share with them our plans for the future, as the need for affordable housing is growing," Pam Ealey, executive director with the Putnam County Habitat for Humanity, said. "We need to engage more members of Putnam County now more than ever.
"We're blessed to live in an affordable area like Putnam County, but there's a growing need for affordable housing -- and home ownership is still the American Dream," she said. "Owning a home impacts our education system, workforce development and economy." Ealey notes that there are still a dozen or more volunteers that have been involved since the beginning. Ealey herself has been there nearly 10 years. As a Christian housing ministry, Putnam County Habitat for Humanity believes that all of God's children deserve a simple, safe, decent and affordable home to live and grow into all that He intends. They build simple, affordable, safe and decent homes in Putnam County.
To qualify, the staff of Habitat looks at three areas:
* The need for housing. Are you living in substandard poor conditions (such as structure problems with the home or have problems with water and electrical systems)? Or are you living in overcrowded conditions, living with family or perhaps living in cost-burdened conditions, paying more than 30 percent of your income for housing expense?
* Ability to pay for the home. Partner Families actually buy the home from Habitat with a zero interest mortgage. Applicants must have some sources of reliable, steady income.
* Willingness to partner. If approved for the program, applicants will be required to complete more than 400 hours of "sweat equity." This is volunteer hours helping build your home, other Habitat homes, working in the ReStore and attending education classes. Being in the program is similar to a part-time job and you must be ready to accept that responsibility. Are you willing to accept this work? Before you can move into your home you are required to complete the Sweat Equity Hours and pay an estimated $1,100 in closing costs (average of $75/month payment required) On the average you will have 15-18 months to complete these tasks.
Other requirements include a decent reasonable credit history and no bankruptcies in the past three years. Habitat's current needs are land, and funding for homes. "We're about to start on a new neighborhood," Ealey said. "Sustainable building is a key word for us -- building green. Our homes are now Energy Star Homes and we will soon build EarthCraft House homes. We're being conscious of our environment and our Partner Families' futures with energy efficient homes."
Ealey is also planning Habitat's annual appreciation dinner, with the addition of a 15th anniversary celebration, on April 22 at the Leslie Town Centre. The public is encouraged to join, but seating is limited and reservations are required. Call Ealey at 528-1711, ext. 1, before the end of the month to reserve a seat. "We've removed families out of some horrible living conditions in Putnam County and continue to do that today," Ealey continued. "We also help families move out of overcrowded conditions and cost-burdened situations. When a family has an affordable and decent home to live in, they can spend more time with their children, improve their job situations, possibly further their education and not worry about the housing conditions and the financial strain of being cost-burdened. This truly changes lives."
Habitat also recently broke ground on its 55th house, a Cooking on the Square sponsored home. "We'll continue to build hope and dreams for many more years, one family at a time," Ealey said.
We now have e-newsletters. E-mail Amy to start receiving your monthly e-news. We have an e-newsletter for the ReStore, PC Habitat, and Building with Faith. Just place newsletter in the content bar, then tell us your name and which e-newsletters you wish to receive. Each e-newsletter includes the latest news, information, and exclusive offers.
If you wish to end your e-newsletters follow the direction at the bottom of your last e-newsletter.
