Habitat works for Flathead families

While the beautiful Big Sky country draws more and more middle and upper class individuals into Montana every year, the low-income population and the need for affordable housing is also rising. In October 1989, Montana graciously welcomed Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley, the first Habitat affiliate of the state.

Committed to the belief that "a decent, safe, affordable place in which to live is a basic human need," Habitat of the Flathead is a non-profit organization dedicated to the goal of eliminating inadequate shelter. The organization selects homeowner families of the Flathead Valley based on their need for adequate affordable shelter, their ability to pay for the home, and their willingness to partner with Habitat of the Flathead.

Today the Flathead Valley holds more than 17,000 people who are making less than half of the median income for the area, living in sub-standard housing and paying rent they cannot afford while the cost of utilities soars. During the last 16 years, Habitat of the Flathead has built one house per year. It now wishes to boost its capacity to meet an increased need.

However, for Habitat of the Flathead to successfully meet its goal of increasing the number of houses built each year, there must be community support. Habitat of the Flathead operates with donors, volunteers and homeowners to create "simple, decent, affordable housing." It is an organization that depends upon the cooperation and good will of the Flathead Valley at large. As a "people-to-people" partnership, Habitat of the Flathead not only changes the lives of its selected homeowners, but also benefits the volunteers involved.

Habitat of the Flathead executive director Jane Leivo described this phenomenon.

"As President Carter said, 'I get more out of this than I give,'" she said. "I stay for the personal reward I get and the diversity of the volunteers. Anywhere from a ditch digger to a president could be standing next to you at the building site."

Habitat of the Flathead works according to the so-called "theology of the hammer," a method of operation in which politics, religion and social attitudes are put aside.

Habitat for Humanity builds houses by using as much volunteer labor and donated materials as possible, with about 98 percent of Habitat of the Flathead's annual income going toward building houses.

To accommodate families that are unable to secure bank loans or to qualify for government-funded, low-income housing programs, Habitat houses are sold at no interest and no profit, and the house payments are recycled to build other homes. Giving opportunities lie in full, half and quarter sponsorships as well as donations by pledge or planned giving, which allows donors to give a designated amount over a period of time.

Although more money and volunteers are needed for Habitat of the Flathead to increase its capacity, Leivo remains positive.

"I am an optimist — never say never," she said. "All you have to do is change your thinking. We have plenty of money in the Flathead Valley — we just need to turn around and help someone else besides ourselves."

As poverty and sub-standard housing in the Flathead Valley continues to rise, Habitat of the Flathead plans to pick up speed. The combined efforts of individuals, churches, companies, organizations, foundations and entire communities will be the deciding factor. Habitat of the Flathead hopes to gain enough support to tackle the problem of inadequate shelter with gusto.

Jane Leivo is the executive director for Habitat for Humanity of the Flathead Valley.