Creston Habitat for Humanity changes names

After 22 years, the Creston chapter of Habitat for Humanity has agreed to change affiliations, but still plans to build homes for people who meet the criteria. The affiliation switch also comes at a time when the organization will consider building in places beyond Creston.

“Through mutual agreement we have decided that as of July 1 our organization will become known as The Fuller Housing of Southern Iowa. We will no longer serve as a Habitat organization,” said Creston President Charles Westman. “We will continue to serve this area with the same mission as before this change.” Westman said the Creston officials have discussed changing affiliations for about the past two years.

The Fuller Center for Housing is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that seeks to eradicate poverty housing by promoting partnerships with individuals and community groups to build and rehabilitate homes for people in need, according to its website. The Habitat for Humanity chapter in Shenandoah also changed affiliation to Fuller. There are Fuller chapters in 32 states and several countries.

“We will continue to serve this area with the same mission as before this change,” Westman said. “We will strive to provide decent, safe, affordable housing for people in our area. The biggest change is our name. We will now be allowed to serve an area within a 40-mile radius of Creston.”

Westman said the change in the organization may be a good opportunity for people who lost homes in storms and tornadoes since late April.

“We know there is a need to rebuild houses in Greenfield,” he said, referring to the dozens of destroyed home during a May 21 tornado. “The 40-mile radius includes Greenfield and places in rural Adair County where homes were lost. Fontanelle is included.”

He said the organization is aware of destroyed homes east of Creston during a tornado on April 26.

“We know there are people close to Creston that have a need for housing,” he said. “We knew there was a need for more housing even before the storms.”

Westman said the Creston organization has no change in its administration under Fuller. It will continue to partner with Southwestern Community College, Southern Iowa Council of Governments, the city of Creston and all its established vendors.

“We are thankful to our dedicated volunteers and other partners that have supported us as a Habitat organization. We express gratitude to Habitat for Humanity International for sharing their missions with us and wish them will as they continue to serve housing needs,” Westman said.

Habitat for Humanity is a global nonprofit housing organization working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and in approximately 70 countries. Habitat works toward building strength, stability and self-reliance in partnership with families in need of decent and affordable housing. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage.

Fuller Housing of Southern Iowa builds three bedroom, two bathroom, energy efficient houses. The organization is proposing to build one at 1109 N. Sycamore in Creston. The organization is waiting for legalities to complete before proceeding. Westman hopes groundbreaking can start in late August or early September with a completion date of June 2025.

Homes are expected to be constructed mostly using volunteer labor. The Southwestern Community College carpentry and building trade class and electrical technology have contributed to previous homes. The estimated cost of materials is about $140,000, but the house will have a greater value. The first mortgage is based on the estimate of $140,000 with no interest. The principle payment for a 25-year mortgage is estimated at $434 per month. Estimates for taxes and insurance bring the total monthly payment to about $800.

Grants are used to build the house including the annual income for the number of people in the family using the house.

1, $48,550.

2, $55,500

3, $62,450

4, $69,350

5, $74,900

6, $80,450

Participating families must invest a minimum of 200 hours of volunteer labor to build the home; have the ability to make and maintain house payments; have stable work history; no one in the family is on the sex offender registry; must be a legal U.S. citizen and demonstrate need for the house.

For more information, contact Fuller Center for Housing of Southern Iowa at 222 N. Maple St., Creston, Iowa, 50801 or by phone at 641-344-8032.