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Ribbon-cutting ceremony for first Habitat for Humanity home Aug. 2
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By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
After nearly four years of jumping through hoops and over hurdles, the first Habitat for Humanity (HFH) home in Houston County is becoming a reality. The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the first home in the county will take place Sunday, Aug. 2 at 12:30 p.m. at 305 So. Killborn in Houston.
“We are so excited to finally get this off the ground,” said Jim Edwards of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. “We have been working with the La Crosse branch of Habitat for Humanity for almost four years to bring this fantastic program to Houston County. But due to differences in state laws and regulations between the two states, it took a long time to get to this point.”
HFH and Thriventbuild have partnered to construct more than a dozen homes “across the river.” And Edwards was convinced there had to be some way of getting the program to Houston County.
Things started falling into place when Houston residents Jack and Karla Edwards agreed to donate a building lot to the program. The necessary paperwork was completed, and the program moved forward this past spring.
Persons wishing to be candidates for the program were solicited in May to fill out a lengthy application form. A committee went through the applications and selected Karen Johnsgaard, a single mother with three daughters.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for a first-time homeowner to actually own their own home,” Edwards noted. “This is not a gift. The person selected had to meet some very involved criteria, must make the low-interest mortgage payments, pay the taxes, the utilities and the upkeep of the home. The new homeowner is also required to put in at least 350 hours of sweat equity.
“With the HFH program, we try to get as much volunteer work, donated or reduced priced materials as possible, which helps make the purchase of a new home that much more affordable,” Edwards continued. “So far, we’re got offers from one company to donate the shingles, and possibly a roofing contractor to help install them. We are also working with 13 Lutheran churches in the area that will help provide donations and volunteer labor.”
The house will be a simple one-story, three-bedroom home measuring 32 by 80 feet, built on a slab. It will be very energy efficient.
“We’re hoping to have this house buttoned up by the beginning of October and completed just in time for Christmas. If all works out, we are also looking at expanding this program in Houston County,” Edwards noted. “We already have persons in Caledonia and Brownsville looking at future homesites in those communities.
“Anyone interested in bidding on the project and finding out more details on donating materials or at least giving us a break on materials should contact me. I’ve kind of been put in charge of this project,”
Edwards said. You can contact him at (507) 459-2427.
Representatives from HFH and Thriventbuild will be on hand to field questions and provide additional information about the program before and after the ceremony. Refreshments will be provided.
You can contact Charlie Warner at
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