© 2024 WGLT
A public service of Illinois State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Habitat for Humanity of McLean County still building through challenges

Habitat for Humanity of McLean County

Habitat for Humanity of McLean County is building five new housing projects in 2023 despite rising costs, including a type of project new to the organization in McLean County.

The cost for materials to build the standard four-bedroom, two-bathroom home that Habitat for Humanity often constructs has risen about 20%, according to Habitat for Humanity McLean County executive director Roger Scott.

Scott said that hasn’t stopped the organization from looking to build one of its most ambitious projects. The Bill McConnell Memorial Build will be a first-of-its-kind duplex on Bunn Street in Bloomington, allowing for two families to live on one plot of land.

Scott said building a duplex to house more families was a dream of the late Bill McConnell, a former president of the Habitat for Humanity board of directors in McLean County and a longtime donor to the organization. It’s the first time a plot of land large enough to build a single-story duplex has become available to the organization, said Scott.

"A lot of the lots that we do get donated to us, they are just not that large that you could put a larger footprint on it," he said.

Three other homes will be constructed this year. The Hero House, built in honor of a community member who has made a lasting impact on the area, will be built this year for retired Bloomington psychologist Feli Sebastian; the Carle BroMenn health care house, sponsored in honor of health care workers in the area; and the annual Women’s Build that is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

Money is another issue facing the organization. As the cost of materials like lumber and concrete continue to rise, construction will only get more expensive.

“We’re only going to build the number of houses we have sponsorships for,” Scott said.

Scott said sponsors, along with contractors donating their labor, and the over 880 volunteers that logged hours with the organization last year help to keep the costs low for the families that move into the homes.

Building the homes over an entire summer instead of a rushed build helps to keep costs down, too, said Scott, adding Humanity sells each house at appraisal value on a 25-year, interest-free mortgage for about $650 per month.

ReStore reopens

Last week, Habitat for Humanity reopened its ReStore, after it was closed for 10 days. Scott said the West Washington Street store that re-sells donated furniture and home items had been closed because of a gas leak and continued after repairs were done, while the not-for-profit organization scheduled city inspections. Scott said a staff shortage contributed to the length of the closure.

Erik Dedo is a reporting and audio production intern at WGLT. He joined the station in 2022.
Related Content