HANCOCK COUNTY COALITION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING GROUPS

Summary of Meeting

December 8, 2010

Persons Attending:

Jimmy Goodson and Judy Morgan, Hancock County Habitat for Humanity Executive Director and Board member (respectively); Tom Martin, Hancock County Planning Commission

Main Points Discussed: 

Habitat for Humanity:  The Boggy Brook road (Ellsworth) house is being built.  The organization has plans to build another house this spring. 

The  ReStore™, which sells donated building materials, grossed $67,000 in sales during its first year of operation.  It netted about $20,000 in profits. The goal is to accumulate sufficient profits so that it has funds to build a house every two to three years.  This house would be in addition to the two houses normally built each year with funding from other sources.  These sources include local fund raisers and grants from foundations.

There was some discussion about Habitat becoming involved in housing rehabilitation.  This may be challenging since there are strict standards for the removal of lead and other hazardous substances. 

Other Housing Ventures: Tom Martin reported on WHCA’s CDBG Well and Septic Replacement Grant program.  All applications have been scored and, weather permitting, staff will begin preparing bids after December 15.   The agency sent out 57 applications and received back 29 of which six are for wells.  The onset of cold weather may delay septic system installation until spring.  It is possible to drill wells during most of the winter.

Topics for Future Meetings:  Members of the coalition are invited to contact Tom Martin with suggestions for future meeting topics and possible guest presenters.