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Do you have a desire to lend a hand so a family can set down roots in a local neighborhood?
Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers to lend a hand on building projects in Anoka and Ramsey. The Twin Cities Habitat Partnership for Northwest Anoka County is sponsoring seven weeks of community build days.
This is an opportunity for Anoka County residents of all backgrounds and skill sets to get involved. Every year approximately 20,000 volunteers give their time to Habitat for Humanity in the Twin Cities.
This summer work continues on the second of a three-year project to build 24 town homes in Ramsey at 149th Olive Lane as well as a single family home at 1540 Franklin Lane in Anoka. The Anoka project is visible from Ferry Street, just north of the Mississippi River bridge crossing.
There are a number of opportunities for volunteers to join the building project in Ramsey as well as a one-week block available in Anoka.
“This is an opportunity for people to help build a home right in their own community,” said Trista Matascastillo, community relations associate with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity.
The non-profit group has a history of putting up affordable housing in the north metro. This will be the third home in Anoka since 2005.
The families will soon be moving into the eight town homes built last year in Ramsey.
“Those houses are just closing now and some of the final landscaping is being done,” said Matascastillo.
As projects continue, there are always opportunities to join the volunteer corps.
Dates available in Ramsey are: June 16, 18, 20, July 21 to 25, Aug. 18 to 22, Aug. 25 to 29, Sept. 22 to 26, Sept. 29 to Oct. 3.
In Anoka volunteers are needed July 14 to 18.
Because Ramsey is located farther from the metro, and it is a larger project, there are more volunteer slots left to fill.
“Most of our volunteers do come from the cities,” said Matascastillo.
Corporations, faith-based groups and individuals all contribute to Habitat for Humanity projects across the seven-county area of the metro.
Volunteers can expect to step out of their comfort zone, acquire new skills and lend a hand providing affordable housing in the community.
They are directed by a site supervisor and typically groups, for example a company or a church, commits to a week-long work camp.
All work that requires a permit – electrical, foundation – is done by a sub-contractor. Sometimes Habitat for Humanity pays for this work but also will accept a donation of services from a contractor.
“We would never turn anyone away,” said Matascastillo.
Habitat for Humanity homes are not given away for free. They are sold to approved home owners at cost, paid for with a zero-interest mortgage.
The average cost of a Habitat home is $182,000.
To qualify, the family must earn 30 to 50 percent of the area’s median annual income. The average Habitat for Humanity home owner earns $28,000 to $40,000 a year. Before purchasing their home, Habitat home buyers must complete 300 to 500 hours of “sweat equity” – unpaid labor investing in the building of their Habitat house.
A June 12 meeting in Ramsey will outline the details for potential owners of Habitat for Humanity homes. The homeowner orientation session will be held Thursday, June 12 at 6 p.m. at Ramsey City Hall.
Typically Habitat for Humanity turns away 10 potential homeowners for every home built in the Twin Cities area.
Each year there approximately 50 home projects in progress. As of August 2007, 660 families have purchased Habitat homes in the Twin Cities.
Register to volunteer for Twin Cities Habitat Partnership for Northwest Anoka County build days by e-mailing Jamie Barthel at
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or for more information you can contact Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity at 612-331-4090 or www.tchabitat.org .
Mandy Moran Froemming
ABC Newspapers
Thursday, 05 June 2008 |
