A  Clark County family will have easier access to their home thanks to the most recent project by Habitat for Humanity of Madison and Clark Counties.

On Saturday,  volunteers from First Presbyterian Church worked alongside Nick Ray, construction director for Habitat, to add an Americans with Disabilities Act compliant ramp to the home at 217 Hickory Lane. 

The project was funded by Thrivent Financial, a leading faith-based financial company. 

“The homeowners Habitat (served) this weekend have struggled with leaving and entering their home for several years due to mobility issues. After Saturday they will have an Americans with Disabilities Act compliant ramp to finally provide them with accessibility in their own home,” a press release from Habitat said. 

While most of what Habitat does is build new homes for families in need, the organization’s repair program is designed to help individuals and families complete repairs that they would not be able to complete on their own.

In order to qualify for the program an applicant must own their home, possess homeowners insurance and have a demonstrated financial hardship. As with other Habitat projects, the homeowner must be willing to provide “sweat equity” by partnering with Habitat staff and volunteers on the work, provide evidence that the repair is needed, pay a portion of the cost of the repair and agree that there is no intent to sell the property within the next three years.

“While the repair program may seem a bit disconnected from what most people associate Habitat with it is a great way to impact more families in a positive way than new construction alone,” Ray said. “The repair program really helps families overcome some tough situation and makes for a quicker resolution than new construction projects alone.”

Habitat Executive Director Russ Barclay said these small repair projects go a long way toward preserving the benefits of homeownership. 

 “The home repair program is another tool in the Habitat toolbox that we can utilize in the pursuit of a community in which everyone has a decent place to live,” Barclay said. 

Habitat for Humanity of Madison and Clark Counties, founded in 1991, has provided a path to home ownership for 121 families and added more than $7 million dollars to the tax rolls in its service area. 

More information about Habitat for Humanity of Madison and Clark Counties is available atwww.habitatmadisonclark.org or at 859-625-9208.