Updated May, 2009

Lincoln area Lutheran congregations are coming together to build a Habitat for Humanity home on the parking lot of Sheridan Lutheran Church at the intersection of  70^th and Old Cheney. This house that will be a home for a Habitat family with 4 children is being built at this busy intersection so that the Lincoln community can enjoy following the progress of the construction. Upon completion, it will be moved to its permanent location at 3319 X Street.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has awarded Lincoln/Lancaster County Habitat for Humanity $159,088, or 65 percent of the funds necessary, to build two homes in 2009. The homes will be built by area volunteers, of whom at least one-half need to be Lutheran and one-fourth need be Thrivent Financial members.  The Habitat partner families will also invest 400 hours of “sweat equity” helping to build their homes. 

A single mother and two children are the partners for the second Thrivent Project located at 7020 Platte Ave. Construction has also started on this home.  

“Habitat homes provide security and stability for the adults and children who work to own them,” said Nancy Muehling, executive director of the local Habitat affiliate. “Thrivent is making it possible for two local families to take a step out of poverty.”

The alliance between Habitat for Humanity International and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans continues to build hope for low-income families amidst economic difficulties as the mortgage crisis unfolds nationwide. Since 2005, it has given more than 1,000 families an opportunity to achieve the American dream of homeownership. Nine of those families live in Habitat homes built in Lincoln.

Lutheran and Thrivent volunteers are needed during May and June to complete these builds.

HABITAT WORKS TO BUILD GREEN

Green building...Habitat style is a matter of faith and stewardship. According to the non-profit group Architecture 2030, “unknowingly, the architecture and building community is responsible for almost half of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions annually.” The residential slice of the building sector consumes 21%, just behind the transportation sector (27%). How and where we construct housing are critical issues to consider as our health, economy and culture will feel the long-term impacts from our action taken today. Economically, cost-benefit analyses show tremendous long-term savings to homeowners and society when we design housing that is energy and resource efficient.      

The green building movement (often referred to as sustainable) is something most everyone is excited about and supports, however, affordable building with sustainable materials and energy efficient components has lagged due to the sometimes higher costs involved.  Habitat has always made every effort to build homes with low operating costs, providing Habitat families the obvious health benefits of living in a dry, clean house with affordable utilities.

 Habitat’s modestly sized homes of 1000 square feet fit families needs without wasting space. Our philosophy is to reduce waste, recycle everything possible and take advantage of energy efficiencies during construction.  Locally, our affiliate is in the process of learning the most energy-efficient techniques and adapting them to Habitat’s volunteer friendly, cost-conscious methods. We find ourselves often walking the line between being willing to experiment with new products and staying careful to spend donor dollars wisely. 

The “Stenson House” to be built at1221 N 44^th Street, will focus on sustainable materials and energy efficient techniques, due to a generous contribution from our newest board member, Dr. Steven Eggland

There is much that can be done with no additional funds but certain elements, while saving resource and energy expenditures in the long run, will require additional funding. If you would like to support this and future efforts to build “green” please consider a contribution today.

Habitat for Humanity is deeply saddened by the death of Millard Fuller,

the visionary whose ideas and tireless work created Habitat for Humanity.

Mr. Fuller led Habitat from its founding in 1976 until his separation from the organization and his founding of the Fuller Center for Housing in 2005. He died early today, Feb. 3, following a brief illness. He was 74\

“Millard Fuller was a force of nature who turned a simple idea into an international organization that has helped more than 300,000 families move from deplorable housing into simple, decent homes they helped build and can afford to buy and live in,” said Jonathan Reckford, chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity International. “The entire Habitat family mourns the loss of our founder, a true giant in the affordable housing movement.  Our prayers are with the entire Fuller family.”

The idea for Habitat for Humanity was born at Koinonia Farm, a Christian farming community founded in 1942 in rural southwest Georgia to be a “demonstration plot for the Kingdom of God.” Millard and Linda Fuller made their way to that demonstration plot in 1965

By the time Millard Fuller turned 29, he had earned his first million dollars as an entrepreneur and attorney. But as his finances flourished, his health and marriage crumbled. To save their marriage, the Fullers decided to begin anew. They sold all that they owned, gave the money to the poor and in their searching, landed at Koinonia where they began soaking up the teachings of farmer, theologian and community founder Clarence Jordan.

In time, Jordan and Fuller launched a program of “partnership housing,” building simple houses in partnership with rural neighbors who were too poor to qualify for conventional home loans. The first house was dedicated in 1969 and others soon followed. In 1973, the Fullers took the concept of partnership housing to Africa. Within a few years, simple concrete-block homes were replacing unhealthy mud-and-thatch homes … and Millard Fuller had a bold idea: If partnership housing could improve lives in Georgia and Zaire, why not the rest of the world?

In 1976, the Fullers returned to the United States and launched Habitat for Humanity International. By the organization’s 25^th anniversary, tens of thousands of people were volunteering with Habitat and more than 500,000 people were living in Habitat homes.

Millard Fuller was a prolific writer, authoring 10 books. He had received more than 50 honorary degrees and in 1996 received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. In presenting the medal, President Bill Clinton said, “Millard Fuller has done as much to make the dream of homeownership a reality in our country and throughout the world as any living person.” Jack Kemp, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and former HFHI board member agreed, adding, “When I’m asked about housing success stories from our inner cities, the first group that comes to mind is Habitat for Humanity.

POSITION AVAILABLE:  DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Lincoln/Lancaster County Habitat for Humanity is seeking a Development Director.  This position will work with the HFH team with a primary focus on fund-raising, event planning and grant writing.  A proven track record and experience working with donors from corporations, foundations, civic groups and houses of worship is a plus.  Affiliate is looking for a person with passion for the Habitat mission, a great work ethic and a good sense of humor!  Excellent oral and written communication skills are a must.