Posted on May 30, 2017
West Bay Rotary
May 25, 2017
Midcoast Habitat for Humanity
Tia Anderson, Executive Director
 
 
Mission:  To work in cooperation with the vision & principles of Habitat for Humanity International, bringing people together to build hope, homes and community and end poverty housing in Knox County, Maine.
 
A lot happening with Midcoast Habitat for Humanity - Need for affordable housing continues to grow
 
48.3% unable to afford median home
58% unable to afford 2 bedroom rental
 
Habitat for Humanity is building, rehabbing & creating solutions
 
Every Helping Hand Builds Home
Habitat cannot do what they do without volunteers
What they do & how they do it is based on community support
 
Most recent project – turn over the house early in June.
The property was donated by the City of Camden.
The family lived in apartment that had issues with mold & rodents – had security issues.
 
We have many teams that visit from away to help to build for a week.
10-12 volunteers
Local churches house them for us.
11 groups are scheduled for this year.
 
Criteria for housing
Required to pay a mortgage
Families need to be making a living, but need help
They enter into the Habitat family and we ask them to stay engaged after they receive their homes.
 
Quality of life in general
Leads to better education, health & prosperity.
 
Where we were
20 years
21 houses
16 volunteer/board
2 committees
5 businesses
2 churches
 
Where we are:
27 years
31 homes
13 BOD
5 committees
3 staff
39 business/36 restaurants
4 churches
29 local volunteer teams
29 teams hosted
128,000 in kind donations
15 lots in land bank
1 restore – supports overhead
               40 volunteers – commit to at least one shift per week.
               1,000 donations annually
               $728k net sales
               482 tons of waste diverted
 
Current Projects:
Camden home & rehab in Rockland (will work on this as a winter project)
Ambitious plans for the next 2 years – they can’t work fast enough.  The need is great in the community. 
They are working on some potential collaborations with the Knox County Homeless Coalition – building homes will allow them to free up beds in the hospitality house.
 
Tiny Homes for Hope
Hospitality House acquired the barn – hoping to build a campus there.  The thought was to create a small community of tiny homes.  Transitional houses – better than putting folks up in hotels.  Allows families to still have access to services on campus.  192 Sq. feet.  Full bathroom, efficiency kitchen – not intended to be cooked in.  Temporary transitional housing.  Rockland is very supportive.  Looking for sponsors for individual houses – the cost is $15,000 per home.
 
Philbrick avenue, Rockland
This was developed by Mr. Philbrick as workforce housing – they are going to redevelop it in a similar model.  550-750 sq. foot homes.  Another exciting project on the horizon.
 
Looking for a regular flow of volunteers.
 
Q&A
 
How many people can live in the tiny homes?
1 person or a couple.  A few could be connected with hallways that lock off if needed.
 
Are all communities in this area committed to affordable housing?
It is written into their plans, but not all are working on it.
 
What is the donation criteria for Restore?
This changes based on inventory
 
Is there a typical wait time for waiting housing clients?
Revolving application process, but we are looking to possibly modify for specific projects.
If applications don’t qualify for a house because of financial hardships – they get those folks some assistance.  They don’t blanket deny, we help them to move through the system to get assistance.
 
Do these town provide reduction in real estate taxes?
They are tax exempt – so they don’t pay taxes on the property.  Homeowners must pay taxes.  Partner families can apply by claiming poverty – and get an exemption or abatement.
 
Any problems with houses?  Never had a foreclosure on the homes – because we support them in difficult times.
 
How many folks who apply don’t get accepted?
20:1 –
 
Is this just families?
In recent years, it’s been single moms – individuals can absolutely apply.
 
Buckets on the table
Toilet paper project – until the end of June
 
Duck Derby
Still a couple of spots open for this weekend.
Please just show up and we will put you to work.
 
If you have a kayak or paddleboard that can be used – Peter will pick up and return.
 
George went to District Conference this weekend
Recognized in several ways
eWaste – 1 of 2 eco responsible projects for the district
Certificate of appreciation for support of End Polio Now
 
Averaged $100 & 100% participation - #2 in the district.
 
Next BOD – June 7 – Peters last meeting.
 
Monhegan Trip with Camden Rotary Club - Sunday, June 26 / 10:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
 
Rockland Rotary – Governor LePage will be speaking at Rockland Rotary next week.
 
Next week - Holly Edwards – Bee Keeping