Mahoning, Trumbull habitat for humanity affiliates merging

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Habitat for Humanity of Trumbull County and Mahoning County Habitat for Humanity, organizations that aim to eliminate poverty housing locally and around the world, are merging.

The proposed move will allow the newly expanded organization to provide safe, decent and affordable housing to more families in both Trumbull and Mahoning counties, and increase operational efficiency, said Monica Craven, executive director for Mahoning County Habitat.

Brian Byrne, president of the Trumbull affiliate, said the two counties’ proximity will allow the partnership to run smoothly.

“We were looking for a way to build a stronger organization to build some more resources and share administrative costs, and we felt like the Mahoning affiliate would be a good fit because they are a great organization,” said Byrne.

“Our mission remains the same — to eliminate poverty housing in our communities and around the world. This partnership will improve service to Trumbull County, and we are really excited about the opportunities we see for the combined affiliate in the future,” Craven said.

A Christian home-building organization, Habitat for Humanity works with community groups and volunteers to build simple, decent homes in partnership with people in need who are living in substandard conditions.

Habitat relies on donations of labor, building materials and land to help keep the cost of the houses down, Craven said.

She said Habitat for Humanity selects homeowners based on their need for adequate housing, their ability to repay a no-profit mortgage and their willingness to partner by helping to build their home and the homes of others in the program. Once Habitat for Humanity sells a home to a partner family, the family owns the home just like any other mortgage holder.

Their monthly no-profit mortgage payments go back to Habitat and are put into a revolving fund to help build more homes.

Mahoning County Habitat has built or rehabilitated 44 homes during its 25 years of existence. Habitat of Trumbull County, begun 20 years ago, has built or remodeled 39 homes, Craven said.

The merger will be formalized, hopefully by the end of the year, said Craven, who will be executive director of the combined units. The board of directors will have representatives from both counties.