For the time being, the grassy lot in downtown Edinburgh is empty and unused.
But by this time next year, it will be the site of a local family’s first home.
Indianapolis-based Salin Bank has donated a piece of land in Edinburgh to Habitat for Humanity of Johnson County, an organization which builds low-cost homes and sells them to partners at no profit. The 8,500-square-foot parcel will be used for Habitat for Humanity’s next build, which will start in spring 2019.
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When the house is done, it will provide a home for an Edinburgh couple and their young son.
“They’re currently living in Edinburgh, and wanted to stay there because that’s where their support system is. That was really important to them,” said Lee Ann Wilbur, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Johnson County. “Sometimes that doesn’t always work out, because we have to build where we have sites, but with this donation, it all came together.”
Habitat for Humanity partners with area families to provide them with an affordable home. The organization spends about two months building the houses, then the new owners receive a 20-year, interest-free mortgage for the house.
They are then responsible for monthly mortgage payments. New owners also are asked to put down $700 on the house to help cover closing costs. Families take financial classes and pay “sweat equity” — 300 hours of volunteer labor on their home and other Habitat and community projects.
Because the organization builds and sells these homes at no profit, it relies heavily on donations, both in volunteer assistance, building materials and locations for their homes.
Land donations are particularly vital, Wilbur said.
“Land is hard to come by, and buying it takes away from other ways we can use our funds, so it really helps us when people donate properties to us,” she said. “We were so blessed for Salin Bank to come forward and donate that land.”
The donation from Salin Bank came after Habitat for Humanity land acquisition officials contacted the company about the downtown Edinburgh site. The bank has a branch location in Edinburgh, and the unused parcel of land sits directly behind that branch on North Walnut Street.
“That parcel wasn’t being used — it was a grassy lot that isn’t part of our branch operations — so it wasn’t living up to its full potential. When this opportunity presented itself, it seemed like a no-brainer for us,” said Jessica Riedel, director of marketing for Salin Bank.
After discussions with Habitat for Humanity, Salin Bank officials and the board of trustees agreed to donate the land to the organization.
“We’re absolutely committed to the communities we serve, and we’re always looking for charitable opportunities that will benefit Indiana families in those communities. This one in particular seemed like it really fit the types of philanthropic activities that we look for,” Riedel said.
The donation was completed on Oct. 25, and Habitat for Humanity is in the process of planning its next build at the site. This will be the 20th home build that Habitat for Humanity of Johnson County has taken on.
Starting in the spring, volunteers from throughout the community will gather to construct an entire house from the ground up. As a community build, partners from organizations and businesses have already signed up to donate their time, including CAT Reman, Endress+Hauser, Johnson County Community Foundation and NSK Corporation.
Joining them will be the Blaker family, the recipients of the home. Ryan Blaker works for the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, while his wife Kendra Blaker is going to school studying to be a nurse. They have a young son as well.
As long as no unforeseen setbacks some up, they will move into their new home in summer, once the build is completed, Wilbur said.
For Salin Bank, the opportunity to help a young family like the Blakers falls in line with the company’s core beliefs, Riegel said.
“Our founder, William Salin, has really instilled those values of our company and our employees to really make a difference in those Indiana communities we serve, so these Habitat builds help those families realize that American dream of home ownership,” she said.
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Habitat for Humanity of Johnson County is looking for partner families to go through the program and purchase one of the organization’s future homes.
Potential partner families must meet three basic requirements:
They must demonstrate a need for housing, as through overcrowded conditions, current housing in need of major unattainable repairs, or unaffordable basic housing costs;
They must be willing to partner with Habitat for Humanity, including investing hundreds of hours of sweat equity and attending workshops on home ownership and maintenance;
They must be willing and able to make a mortgage payment.
Applications are accepted from March 1 through April 30, and Aug. 1 to Sept. 30. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
Information: habitatjohnsoncounty.org
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Habitat for Humanity of Johnson County
Community Build
What: Community partners will come together to build a house for an Edinburgh family. This will be the 20th build for Habitat for Humanity of Johnson County.
Partners already involved: Bailey & Wood Financial Group, CAT Reman, Crossroads Engineering, Endress+Hauser, Inc., Johnson County Community Foundation, Keller Williams – Indy Metro South, NSK Corporation, Sexson Mechanical
When does it start: Spring 2019
Who is the partner family: Ryan and Kendra Blaker, an Edinburgh couple with a young son.
How to get involved: If your organization is interested in partnering on the Habitat Community Build, email Lee Ann Wilbur at [email protected] or call 317-530-9222.
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