Berthoud Habitat for Humanity – here to bridge the gap
For 21 years, Berthoud Habitat for Humanity has played an important part in the fabric of Berthoud. Not only do they have a highly visible thrift store on Mountain Avenue, but they have also built 16 homes for low income families.
On its face, Berthoud may look like a community without need of housing help, but this isn’t true. Larimer County has a shortage of all homes, not just affordable homes. And COVID-19 has highlighted the fact that many people are one hospital bill away from experiencing housing insecurity.
While Berthoud Habitat may not be able to help everyone, they are there to bridge the gap many people experience when trying to move from renting to owning. They offer low-cost housing through a “hand up, not a hand out” to those who qualify for this affordable mortgage.
Volunteers who work on Berthoud Habitat homes range from highly skilled craftsmen to those who have never used a hammer.
“What they do need is an intent to be community minded,” said Jan Dowker, executive director of Berthoud Habitat for Humanity. People like Gene Hobbs, she mentioned is a newer volunteer who is very helpful in finish carpentry.
COVID-19 has severely limited the number of volunteers that Berthoud Habitat has on a home build site, so it is taking longer to finish a home. With pandemic mandates changing frequently, it makes it difficult for nonprofits like Berthoud Habitat to provide their normal services.
Berthoud Habitat’s ReStores sales used to cover the entire costs of a home build. It costs approximately $160,000 to $170,000 for Habitat to build a home in Berthoud. The sales from the store, located at 157 Mountain Avenue, can no longer cover it all. With the cost of building materials up 40 percent, Berthoud Habitat relies heavily on grants, fundraising and in-kind donations to get the job done.
They also rely on the help of their volunteers.
“I can’t say enough about Mike Cook and our team of volunteers,” said Dowker. “Dave Groesbeck, Ken Hodges, Mike Carmien, Ed Jimmy—These guys have brought us through COVID-19 along with our Triple C Teams (AmeriCorps) and RV Care-A-Vanners. It’s not all about money, it’s the constant changing codes, home design and all these other things that go into this, like trying to keep costs low. Without these crews we wouldn’t be building homes.”
Three Berthoud Habitat homes are currently under construction.
For those looking for ways to help Berthoud Habitat this holiday season and throughout the coming year, be sure to shop at the ReStore. Also, donating items to the ReStore is extremely important for the mission to continue. Berthoud Habitat’s administrative costs are under 5 percent, so donors can feel confident their dollars are going to this cause and this community.
Also, Berthoud Habitat’s Casino Night & Auction will be held on February 5 at Brookside Garden. Keep an eye on their website, www.berthoudhabitat.org for more details on this nonprofits largest fundraiser of the year.
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