Habitat for Humanity of Knox County has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Knox County Foundation's Giving BACK Tuesday program, Affiliate Director Terry Schulz told the Mount Vernon News.
Habitat plans to use the money for its "Ramp Up Knox County," which offers no-interest loans for wheelchair ramps to allow seniors and the disabled to stay in their homes, Schulz said.
"The price of lumber is throwing us for a loop," Schulz said. "An 8-foot 2x4 is up to about $9 now."
Habitat is hoping the $5,000 will fully cover the cost of a ramp project it is planning for early this year, said Schulz.
The homeowner would sign a promissory note, agreeing to repay the funds with affordable monthly payments based on their income, he said.
"This ramp will be entirely built by volunteers to save on labor costs," Schulz said. "Basically, the only thing the homeowner is going to be paying for is the materials."
Habitat has not been able to build any new houses during the COVID-19 pandemic, the director said.
"But we are excited to get building again," he said. "We have a piece of land on Burgess Street in Mount Vernon that is going to be the site of our 2022 build. We'll break ground as soon as Mother Nature will allow us to do that this spring.
“We already have a family selected for that home, already partnering, already putting in their sweat-equity hours with us. They are itching to get out on the site and start building."
The organization needs community support more than ever, particularly with rising lumber prices, Schulz said.
Individuals may donate by clicking “Support” on the Habitat website at habitat.org/us-oh/mount-vernon/hfh-knox-county-ohio.
Other recipients of the Giving BACK Tuesday grants were Centerburg Senior Services, Giving Hope Charity, Knox County Task Force for Older Adults and MTVarts, a news release said.
The Knox County Foundation raised funds for the grants with a social media campaign that started on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 30, and ran through Tuesday, Dec. 14.
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