In a partnership between St. Joseph County Habitat for Humanity and Intermediate School District Career and Technical Education (CTE) students, a home is being built in Three Rivers for a family in need. Ground was broke on October 17, 2022, and the project should be completed by the end of summer.

Director of CTE Jim Berry said the students are at the build site located at 422 West St. every day depending on weather. The group of students travel by bus to the site each day from different districts, such as Mendon and Constantine. “The numbers are on the lower side this year, but I think between the morning and afternoon classes we’re close to 20 students total,” Berry said. “Mornings are a little heavier than the afternoons.” Supervising the students at all times are two adults — the site manager and site teacher. Executive Director for St. Joseph County Habitat Humanity Nick Metzger said, “This is a cool partnership because the site manager here, JD Yoder, has his builders license and is also Habitat’s construction manager. So, it marries very well.”

Joining Yoder next week will be a new site teacher overseeing the project. “We’re hiring a new teacher who will be starting on Monday,” Berry said. “We did interviews right before spring break, and we’re excited to announce Lincoln Klinger will be our new teacher.” Berry said Klinger is a teacher in a nearby school system, and his district worked to ensure a smooth transition by finding his replacement ahead of his departure.

Metzger explained how the process began at 422 West, saying it all started with Habitat receiving the lot several years ago. “I don’t know when it was donated, it was donated before my time so we’ve had it for at least seven years,” he said. Next, Metzger needed to have Yoder check the lot to determine whether it would be the correct size for a home. “Once he gave me the ‘thumbs up’ and we knew it was where we wanted to build, then I went to Jim and CTE and asked if it worked with the bus schedule. Once he gave me the thumbs up, then we were off.”

The process for determining who is eligible to live in the new build is made by a family selection committee comprised of people from all over the county, and Metzger said the application process would be open in May.

There are three things the committee is interested in when reviewing applicants, beginning with the ability to pay. “We are looking to see if they qualify for a mortgage, because we don’t give the house away and sometimes people think that,” Metzger said. “We sell it at our cost, and that’s usually 30,000 or 40,000 less than the appraisal value.” The next aspect the committee examines is the willingness of the family to partner with Habitat. “This is because at some point, either on this build in the summer or another build, they’re going to need to volunteer with us. Also, they’re going to take ‘Good Neighbor’ classes.” Lastly, the family applying must be in need of safe and secure housing.”

Once a family is selected Yoder will walk them through the finished home. He will teach the family a “maintenance class,” where he shows them things a first-time homeowner might be unaware of, such as learning about filters, cleaning out the dishwasher, and making sure they don’t have hoses connected to their faucets in the winter. “We’re hoping to finish the build by the end of summer, and I know we try to get there with the CTE class but sometimes it doesn’t happen,” Metzger said. “But by the end of summer, we’re really hoping it’ll be ready to be moved into.”

The home features a garage that is not attached, but is just a few feet from the door. Aquatic Bath in Three Rivers donated the shower and bath for the house, and Metzger said the company has been an incredible help for many years. “Aquatics has been amazing. Ever since I’ve been here with Habitat for Humanity we have not paid for a bath.” The home also has an unfinished basement approximately the size of the foundation. “We keep that unfinished to let the homeowner do whatever they want with it,” Metzger said. “But there is also an egress window, so if their family grows they can easily and safely have another bedroom downstairs.”

Funded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity is a global nonprofit housing organization working in local communities across all 50 states in the United States, and in approximately 70 countries. Habitat works to build strength, stability, and self-reliance in partnerships with families in need of decent and affordable housing. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Their mission reads, “Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope.”

Beca Welty is a staff writer and columnist for Watershed Voice.