×

Habitat’s newest house a milestone

Merged group’s first completion

PEYTON NEELY The Marietta Times Jodi Whitehouse and her children Haven, Wyatt and Molly enjoy the sunshine at their new home on Braun Road.

DUNHAM TWP.–A local family with three children has moved from a one-bedroom home to a place with room for them all, as they settle in at the first house completed by the Mid-Ohio Valley Habitat for Humanity.

“It just means everything to us to live here,” said new homeowner Jodi Whitehouse, who will live there with her two children, her fiance and his daughter. “There’s a safe yard for my kids, a home my children can be proud of, and thankfully a place they can always come home to.”

The home is the first one finished since the merging of the Washington and Wood county together Habitat for Humanity chapters last April.

The house is located at 5250 Braun Road, outside of Belpre and is the 94th Habitat home finished in Wood and Washington counties.

“This is our own home,” said Whitehouse, who works at Camden Clark Medical Center. “I’m happy for me but more than excited for my kids.”

Habitat for Humanity is a Christian ministry that builds homes with lower-income families who are currently living in substandard housing.

“We are continuing to look for property to build, especially in Washington County,” said Alvin Phillips, director of Habitat for Humanity of the Mid-Ohio Valley.

The Whitehouse family went through a three-step process that Habitat for Humanity requires with every applicant. The need for current housing is a big part of the decision making because Habitat for Humanity strives to get the families they choose out of sub-standard living. They also research the ability for the family to pay the loan back with zero percent interest.

“We don’t want to put a strain on their budget while also providing the opportunity to own a new home,” said Phillips.

Finally, Habitat for Humanity assures the family has the willingness and cooperation to earn their new home.  It’s called “sweat equity,” where the family moving in is required to put in at least 350 hours of labor over the course of building. This is a way for the family to invest their own time and energy into building their own home.

“The best part about this is that it’s not charity,” said Whitehouse. “My kids and I worked long days for the last year and a half helping with our new house.”

The family’s work included putting shingles on the roof, setting in the main beams, framing the walls, painting, siding and building the porch. PMCompany assisted with the dry wall and there was also a lot of volunteer help.

“I really got to know Jodi and her family well throughout the entire process,” said John Ratzer, a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. “It was rewarding being a part of this family working hard to achieve their home. I enjoyed being able to have a way of showing God’s love for them with what I was doing.”

The two-story home sits on about an acre and a half of land. Before being approved for this home, Whitehouse was living in an income-based apartment with an increasing rent every time she received a raise. For the last year, she and her two children have lived with her fiance and his daughter in his one-bedroom home behind Marietta Memorial Hospital.

The construction began in June of last year and took about 18 months to complete. Whitehouse got to sign for her home on Oct. 6.

Her children are more than excited about the home too.

“I’m really glad it’s out in the country,” said Molly Hasley, 14, the daughter of Roger Hasley,  Whitehouse’s fiance. “There’s a creek out back I’m really excited about and I get my own room which is really nice.”

Jodi’s daughter Haven, 8, is more excited about getting a new cat.

“We are getting a new cat and I get my own room,” she said.

Wyatt, 11, the only boy in the family, is happier about all the room they have now.

“There are a lot of hiding places,” Wyatt said as he peeked out from the new hall closet. “I also finally get my own room where nobody can bother me.”

The home is about four miles from Ohio 7, just far enough to be away from the busy side of Belpre.

“Our neighbors have a rooster I hear every morning but it really doesn’t bother me,” said Jodi. “I’m more excited about having my own home.”

This is the 20th home completed in Washington County all together.

Habitat’s next three homes are currently under construction, but not in Washington County.  They are looking for property to purchase and build on in Washington County and there is always a need for volunteers. For information on how to volunteer, call Habitat’s local office at 304-422-7907.

At a glance

Overview of Habitat for Humanity

¯ Habitat for Humanity is an international Christian ministry that believes all people deserve a simple, decent, affordable place to live.

¯ Habitat for Humanity has an open-door policy welcoming anyone who’s interested in volunteering or becoming a homeowner.

¯ For more information, visit habitatmov.com or call the office at 304-422-7907.

Source: Alvin Phillips, director of Habitat for Humanity of the Mid-Ohio Valley.

 

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.15/week.

Subscribe Today