Habitat continues search for new family

The New Prague Habitat for Humanity is continuing its search for a family for its fourth Habitat house at 300 First Ave. SE. The local group, which is part of Habitat for Humanity South Central Minnesota Chapter, began work on the building earlier this year. At the beginning of the process Christian and Jennifer Lake with their three children had been chosen. The Lake family informed Habitat for Humanity in September they were withdrawing. Christian had chosen to follow a call to the ministry. Since the family didn’t know if he would be studying at a local seminary, they felt they couldn’t accept the house if there was a chance they would be moving out of New Prague. The work on the new house is ongoing as is the search for a new family. Joan Goggins, a member of the local Habitat for Humanity, said people can pick up application packets at three locations. They are the New Prague Library, 400 Main St. E, State Bank of New Prague, 1101 First St. SE, and the Elko New Market Library, 110 J. Roberts Way. Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit ecumenical Christian housing ministry dedicated to building simple, decent and affordable homes with and for families in need. A person may qualify if they:

• Currently have low to medium income. • Are paying too much rent or live in inadequate/substandard housing

• Are unable to obtain a conventional home loan • Have a reliable source of income to make monthly mortgage payments

• Have a credit history free of collection accounts and liens

• Are willing to partner with Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity has income guidelines per family. For one person the minimum is $11,677, while the maximum is $27,563. For a 10-person family the minimum is $24,605 and the maximum is $58,278. Families cannot carry too much debt. Their debt-to-income ratio must be below 41 percent. To qualify for a Habitat house a person might want to take steps to reduce their debt, if they have any. Habitat for Humanity does not give away houses. Qualified families help to build their houses by putting in 200–400 hours of "sweat equity," which is a hands-on involvement in building the home and their participation in other Habitat and community activities. Sweat equity represents a family’s physical and emotional investment in their home. It also gives them a sense of ownership and commitment and develops valuable homeowner skills and knowledge. Any adult member of the family, extended family and friends can contribute sweat equity.