Habitat For Humanity Accepting Applications For Putnam Home Ownership

Upper Cumberland Habitat for Humanity is looking for qualified applicants to join its Home Ownership Program.

The program is designed to help citizens become homeowners in Putnam County amidst the county’s recent growth. Executive Director Jeremy Bird said applicants will be involved in service, allowing other residents to also benefit.

“There’ll be expectations for a number of hours that you’ll spend actually on a build site helping us build other homes for people,” Bird said. “Or you may volunteer in our Re-Store, helping us to take in and process donations that people have given us that we can then sell through the re-store to our community as a means of fundraising.”

Bird said Habitat for Humanity also coaches general financial budgeting and physical home maintenance. Bird said the program teaches the applicants processes like how the mortgage, insurance, and taxes work.

Bird said that the process from approving an applicant to closing on a house can take anywhere from 15 to 18 months.

“We went to DeKalb County in the last month or two to help with their chili cook-off, and one of the volunteers there said the reason he volunteered with Habitat With Humanity is because he had a friend who grew up in a Habitat House and that friend told him that Habitat saved his life,” Bird said. “That’s a powerful statement.”

Bird said the application process has gone well, with many people interested. Director of Homeowner Services Maren Bader has already met with many of the applicants. Bird said there is pretty substantial work to be done through the process, but they try to help applicants throughout.

“We’re not giving anybody a home, but what we’re doing is we’re helping you become a homeowner with the finances and resources that you do have,” Bird said.