The Cape Area Habitat For Humanity is currently building it’s 50th house. The house is located on Spanish Street near the casino in Cape Girardeau, and Habitat organizers are trying to complete the build within 50 days.
Justin Kertz is the director of the Cape Area Habitat for Humanity. He said this modest four-room, two-bath house has a basement. Labor is provided by Habitat volunteers, and the home’s future owners.
“They have to put in 250 to 350 hours of actually coming out on the job site and swinging a hammer and getting their blood, sweat and tears on the job,” Kertz said. “They have a lot of ties to it, and that’s what makes it so special.”
Kertz said volunteers provide their time, and previous construction experience is not required.
“A lot of people come here and learn how to put on a doorknob or they learn how to hang siding or install roof. And they can take those practices back and apply them on their own rental house or their home.”
Habitat applicants must earn between 30 to 50 percent of an area’s median income. Their ‘sweat equity’ goes towards their mortgage. Habitat recipients get a zero-interest loan which must be paid off in full.
Kertz said one out of 30 applicants for Habitat housing are accepted. They typically build about five houses per year in the Cape Girardeau area.