Habitat for Humanity building its 50th local house in 50 days

Angela Whitmore and her family will be living in a new home at the beginning of August, thanks to the Cape Area Habitat for Humanity. But there's a twist to this story: The homesite was nothing but dirt a few weeks ago.

A 1,600-square-foot home like the one the Whitmores will be living in would take four to five months to complete, according to Justin Kertz, executive director of the Cape Area Habitat for Humanity.

However, this house on North Spanish Street in Cape Girardeau has an extra special meaning. It's the 50th house built within the region by the local affiliate. To celebrate the milestone, they are hoping to finish in 50 days.

Kertz said the initiative was to "spice things up with this [50th build]." On Monday, the crew was on day five, but it already had the subfloor and decking completed and started exterior framing. Office manager Becky Fluchel seconded Kertz's sentiment, saying that the occasion is an "awesome opportunity [for the community] to see what Habitat does -- build houses."

Habitat for Humanity International was founded in 1976 with the goal to provide "simple, decent, and affordable" housing for low-income families. It is a not-for-profit organization that does not depend upon government subsidies and operates via regional offices, called "affiliates."

Josh Jansen hammers part of the subfloor into place on the new Habitat for Humanity house Monday in Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

Affiliates are responsible for coordinating all aspects of the charity homes, from site selection to mortgage services. The Cape Girardeau affiliate office opened in 1985. It has been able to continue building homes because Habitat homeowners' down payments and monthly mortgages have been reinvested in future homes.

While volunteers haven't started working on this house yet, Kertz said they soon will be allowed to assist. Those wanting to volunteer may sign up online at capeareahabitat.org by clicking on the volunteer link.

Intern Josh Hiett, a Southeast Missouri State University student, with help with this home.

Hiett became involved in the project after the campus Construction Management Club helped on the house, which sits alongside the future Whitmore home. He said his objective on the job site is to learn, which he admitted won't be hard to do because "Justin and Becky are good role models."

Having helped install the floor joists, Hiett is eagerly anticipating playing a larger role in the construction. He has been assigned to assist in coordinating various contractors, some of whom have donated their services.

The Whitmore family, which includes Hannah, 16, Grace, 12, and Jason, 11, couldn't be more excited about their new home. Their mother, Angela, said they are looking forward to helping out "as much as possible" from "picking up nails" to painting.

She and her family want to be involved as much as possible and do "whatever we can," which is part of Habitat's agreement with its prospective homeowners. Those over the age of 16 are obligated to accrue what the organization refers to as "sweat equity": either 350 on-site hours or 250 for single parents.

What's next for the Cape Girardeau chapter of Habitat for Humanity after its 50th local house in completed? Without hesitation, Kertz said, "Build another 50 homes," which he said shouldn't be difficult because "the community, the area, has stepped up to the plate time and time again." He added he wouldn't mind one day seeing the construction of an entire Habitat subdivision within the region, but admitted the most difficult part in the construction process was finding land.

Assistant managing editor Lucas Presson contributed to this report.

Pertinent address: 1328 North Spanish St., Cape Girardeau, MO