River City Habitat for Humanity is now accepting homeowner applications for a house it is renovating on Jackson Street in Jefferson City.
A community meeting will take place at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the Habitat office, 1420 Creek Trail Drive, to provide important information about the application process and Habitat home ownership. Applications will be provided during the meeting. They may also be found at habitat.org/housing-help/apply.
The class will cover the basics of the Habitat program - including how to apply, income and other qualifications, and what happens once someone is admitted into the program.
Staff will answer questions from applicants.
Applications will be accepted through 4 p.m. Nov. 22.
The organization has been working to help area families recover from twin disasters that affected Jefferson City this summer, said Susan Cook-Williams, executive director of the local organization.
The area struggled through continuous flooding all summer. And an EF-3 tornado struck eastern Jefferson City on May 22, causing damage and destruction to hundreds of homes. Low-income communities were among the hardest-hit areas in the storm's path. Affordable housing was hard to find before the tornado.
Fortunately, the 809 Jackson St. house had little storm damage. However, a previous owner had gutted the inside.
"A gentleman contacted us and was just ready to sell," Cook-Williams said. "It had been an apartment building. He decided it was too much to handle and he was ready to pass it on."
In September, through Habitat's "Building on Faith" program, partnering faith organizations participated in efforts to remodel the home. First Baptist, First Christian, First Methodist and First Presbyterian churches, and the Knights of Columbus spent Thursdays throughout the month working on the home.
"There's still quite a bit of work to be done," Cook-Williams said. "I think they are getting ready for the subcontractors to come in."
The large (for a Habitat for Humanity) home may demand a higher price than other homes, but because of the tornado, the organization's rules allow it to slightly raise the income level limits on applicants it otherwise is constrained by, she said.
The house contains three bedrooms. Because rules prevent the organization from finishing basements, it is leaving the sizable basement unfinished. There is nothing in the rules from preventing the new homeowners from creating bedroom spaces there after they take ownership, if they choose, Cook-Williams said.
As with all its houses, the family that buys the house will be required to put a specified amount of sweat equity into the home, she continued.
"We want to get our family involved soon," she said.
Preference will be given to a tornado or flood survivor.
To volunteer for the organization or for more information, call River City Habitat for Humanity at 573-635-8439 or visit rivercityhabitat.org.