ASK A PROFESSIONAL: What does it take to build a Habitat for Humanity home?

Need, substandard housing, low income. It’s a vicious merry-go-round that families around the globe are desperate to step away from, even families in Franklin County.

“One family was living in a home where the vapor barrier under the house was covered with feces,” Kay Pedersen, Franklin County Habitat for Humanity family selection committee chairman said. “Her kids were so sick.

“I visited another family where the raccoons came in the house at night up through a dryer vent in the vegetable cellar.

“And in another home, I was sitting there with a clipboard on my lap and I watched a roach climb up my pant leg.

“Need? Oh, yeah.”

Since 1993, the local Habitat affiliate has helped 20 low-income families get into safe, well-built, affordable housing that has their name not only on the mailbox, but also on the mortgage.

“Families make a down payment on their Habitat-built home in the form of sweat equity,” Pedersen said. “A family with two adults puts in 300 hours; a single-adult family puts in 200 hours. Thirty percent of that time can be given by family and friends.”

The average mortgage payment is $475. A second mortgage is the difference between the appraised value of the home and what it cost Habitat to build it.

“As long as they’re not in default of the first mortgage, the second is forgiven,” Pedersen said.

While continuing to do good things, the Franklin County Habitat affiliate struggles with infrastructure on their board of directors.

“We always have enough help when we’re in building mode,” Pedersen said. “The problem is that the board isn’t just making policy decisions, we’re actually performing the functions. Often, a board member isn’t just on a committee; they are the committee.”

Pedersen said with a stronger backbone, the organization could deliver more bricks and mortar.

“We already have tremendous support at the international level, so it’s not like we have to reinvent the wheel. We just need more folks to go get the tools and use them here.”

The biggest fundraising effort for Franklin County Habitat for Humanity is the annual golf classic. Held at the Ottawa Country Club, the event provides more than $20,000 each year to the organization.

This year’s event is scheduled for July 11 with a 7 a.m. tee time. Volunteers, sponsors and players are still needed. For more information you may call the event chairman, Dale Fox, at (785) 248-6309.

Linda Brown is marketing director for The Ottawa Herald. E-mail her at lbrown@ottawaherald.com.