Habitat program adjusts to economy

TROY, Ohio (AP) — The U.S. recession has slowed construction at Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit agency that builds affordable housing for people with low incomes.

In some cities, the agency is seeing fewer volunteers and a slow- down in fundraising — all at a time when the cost of construction materials continues to rise.

The high cost of housing lots has forced the agency’s Miami County chapter to try something different: rehabilitating properties instead of building a new home.

“I think we will always build a house or two, but will be looking more at rehabilitation,” president Karen Eliason said.

In Dayton, the agency this year anticipates fewer houses, with five new constructions and one rehabilitation planned in Dayton and Kettering.

Fundraising right now is real tough, said Diane Graham, executive director of the Montgomery County chapter.

“God bless our corporate and foundation sponsors,” Graham said. “If a corporate sponsor has not made money, we cannot expect them to do what they have in the past. The same with foundations and their portfolios.”

Habitat is reviewing how to be more efficient and continues to search for partner families in anticipation of better times, Graham said.