North Township Trustee Frank Mrvan is on the hunt for the perfect veteran candidate to work with Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana to rehab a home on Tennessee in Hessville with the idea of owning it and becoming part of the neighborhood. Mrvan, who has a passion for veterans, has been an avid supporter of the “Veteran’s Build” project from its start.
Habitat for Humanity and the Northwest Indiana Veterans Action Council partnered in January of 2014 to address the need for housing in Lake County, Ind. among low income veterans. One house is currently being constructed for a designated family in Merrillville. The Tennessee house has been generously donated and will be the second.
“This is a home that definitely needs work, but will become a great addition to Hessville when it is repaired,”Mrvan said.”Habitat for Humanity has the best thing going for people who want to have that pride of homeownership, but for whatever reason, haven’t been able to make it happen.”
Part of Habitat’s requirement is that the qualified homeowner put in three hundred sweat equity hours either through actual work on the home or at Habitat’s ReStore located in Calumet Township. Friends and family can help with half of that requirement. For those who are disabled, accommodations will be made. Other requirements include that they must show a need for adequate housing and also have the ability to pay the interest free mortgage.
North Township took title to the home from the Lake County Commissioner’s tax sale with the idea of helping a family find a home while repairing a neglected home in the community.
Dan Klein, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana, said the agency will be repairing the roof to keep it watertight for the winter until a suitable veteran candidate is found. Both he and Mrvan are urging the low-income veteran population to apply. Last year’s veteran candidate didn’t think he qualified and now he is on his way to becoming a homeowner.
The “Veterans Build” project is an ongoing effort. With more generous donations the Northwest Indiana Veterans Action Council and Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana plan to build one home a year designated for a veteran. For a pre-application visit nwihabitat.org and click on the homeownership tab or for more information on how you might qualify, contact Penny Triezenberg at, 219-923-7265 ext. 305, or email familyservices@nwihabitat.org.