What better way to kick off the new year than being handed the keys to your new home! For four new Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio Partner Families, the dream of homeownership is about to be realized. This Saturday the Central Ohio Habitat affiliate kicks off 2020 with the dedication of four new Habitat homes in a two-hour span. These homes — three on Myrtle Avenue and one on Minnesota Avenue in Linden — will be dedicated on January 11, beginning at 9am.
When the dust settles a little before noon on Saturday, these four new families, including eight adults and 23 children, will have a safe, decent, affordable, and energy efficient place to call home in the Capital City!
Habitat MidOhio has grown its capacity to serve more families each year due the success of its Habitat Housing Initiative (HHI). Launched in August of 2016, the HHI is a five-year plan to transform lives and communities through Neighborhood Revitalization efforts including homebuilding, rehabs, and repairs. With a lofty $4.5 million goal and a vision of serving three-times as many families annually, Habitat began the production phase of the initiative in July 2018 — after exceeding its goal by over $250,000 — providing vital resources to to create real, sustainable neighborhood transformation throughout its service areas. In fiscal 2019, the affiliate served an unprecedented 106 families — compared to 28 families just two years ago.
The homes being dedicated on Saturday are located in the Linden community, a target of Mayor Andrew Ginther’s Department of Neighborhoods. According to the Mayor’s website:
“Great neighborhoods exist in part based on shared common interest and values, pride of place, and appreciation of community assets. A place where each resident plays a vital role in strengthening the bonds that enable a neighborhood to flourish.
The Linden Community Plan is a resident-driven planning effort designed to establish a vision for shared prosperity and growth based on the concerns, needs and aspirations of the community. The plan will develop strategies that address the needs of existing residents and businesses and explore opportunities for additional community growth.” — www.ourlinden.com
“We are pleased to work with the City in its effort to revitalize many of Columbus’ historic neighborhoods,” says E.J. Thomas, President & CEO of Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio. “Linden has been a focus of Habitat MidOhio’s renewal effort since our inception, having served 141 families through new home construction, rehabs, and repairs. Currently, we have six additional new builds under construction in the neighborhood.” Thomas said.
Regarding the Saturday Dedication Blitz, Thomas remarked that the event is a first for the MidOhio affiliate. “In the span of just two hours, the Habitat MidOhio team will join with corporate donors, faith organizations, and the City of Columbus to say ‘welcome home’ to four new Habitat Partner Families! This is the first time in the 15 years I have been with Habitat that four families will receive the keys to their new home on the same day, and I think it speaks to the importance and urgency of the need for affordable housing solutions in our community. We are thrilled to be able to partner with our city, our donors and our partner families to make their housing dreams come true!”
