Posted: 03/11/2008
AKRON, Ohio – As the number of families in need of safe, affordable shelter in Summit County continues to rise, so does the cost of building and construction materials. Habitat for Humanity of Summit County, in an effort overcome rising costs, will join over 500 other Habitat affiliates across the United States and Canada to create a retail enterprise that will support more homes to be built for local income-qualified families.
The Habitat ReStore is a retail store open to the public that sells donated new and used building materials and home items. The ReStore will include items such as insulation, drywall, lumber, sinks, shower doors, cabinets and appliances. In preparation for a yet-to-be-determined store opening in Summit County, material donations are sought to generate the inventory that will serve the store.
Habitat is working with local home builders and contractors to educate them about the amount of construction waste that is turned over in landfills. The goal is to get them to donate usable materials to the Habitat ReStore rather than dumping them in landfills. Additionally, Habitat is working with local Lowe’s and Home Depot stores to acquire items that can be donated to the ReStore. Items will be sold at anywhere from 50 to 80 percent below retail value.
“Individuals can also donate items to the ReStore,” Rochelle Fisher, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Summit County said. “If you are remodeling your kitchen, bathroom, or another area in your house and you have leftover items or items you have removed, you can donate them to the ReStore. Habitat will provide a tax letter for all donors to the store.”
Habitat staff and Board of Directors have approved a beta test of the ReStore concept for Summit County and are currently in the process of selecting a location that would be efficient and convenient for all Summit County residents. This likely will not be the final location of the ReStore, as the affiliate is also in the process of doing a feasibility study to better determine a permanent home. The operation timeline for the ReStore facility is expected to be finalized in the fall of 2007. All ReStore profits will become unrestricted funds used to finance the construction of more homes in Summit County.
Individuals or organizations that have something they would like to donate may contact Rick Thoerig at the Habitat office at 330-785-2700. Arrangements can be made to pick up items for those unable to drop them off at the current warehouse facility in Akron.
Habitat for Humanity of Summit County is building seven houses in Summit County during this build season. The organization is looking for volunteers to help build the homes as well as supporters to donate supplies, land and funds for the completion of the homes.
Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry, works in partnership with people in need to improve the condition in which they live. Habitat challenges people of compassion to provide the initial capital – through gifts and no-interest loans – to build or renovate simple, decent homes with the inadequately sheltered. Houses are sold at no profit, with no-interest mortgages repaid over a 15-to 25-year period. The house payments are recycled to build more houses through a local Fund for Humanity.
For information about supporting Habitat for Humanity of Summit County contact Habitat directly at 330-785-2700 or visit www.hfhsummitcounty.org.
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Contact: Rochelle Fisher, Executive Director, 330-785-2700 or hfhed@ohio.net