News : Habitat for Humanity hopes to build new home in Vinton; faces May 1 deadline

Benton County Habitat For Humanity leaders face a May 1 deadline in their efforts to find a qualifying family for the next Vinton Habitat for Humanity house.

The program, which helps low-to-moderate-income families to build and buy their own home, has received an offer of a grant to help fund a new home in Vinton.

But says Benton County Habitat President Kathy Jacobsen, that grant requires that a qualifying family be found by May 1.

"Otherwise we will lose that grant money; then we would have to wait until we were able to raise that money some other way," Jacobsen said on Thursday.

In addition to meeting income guidelines, there are several other requirements of Habitat families, beginning with attending a Habitat introduction session at the office in Cedar Rapids. The next sessions takes place at 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 13, at the Habitat office at 308 6th Ave SE. For more information, call 319.366.4485, or email
familyservices@cvhabitat.org

Brush With Kindness

Jacobsen said the organization is also preparing to help a Vinton family through its Brush With Kindness program, which helps qualifying homeowners repair their home. Soon, Habitat leaders will announce specific dates for which volunteers are needed.

The Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity serves Benton and Linn Counties. The new Vinton home would be built on Q Avenue, near the Don Martin Shelter.

For more information about Habitat for Humanity and Brush With Kindness, visit the Cedar Valley Habitat website.