Rep. Steve Daines visits growing Habitat neighborhood

Another home has been added to the Habitat for Humanity townhome project on Truck Route in Columbia Falls. It should be fully built out by 2015.

Crews were joined for a brief stop by Rep. Steve Daines last week as they put up another exterior wall. Daines also signed the interior of the building. Plum Creek donated all the stud lumber for the unit.

Since its inception in 1976, Habitat For Humanity International has built more than 700,000 homes across the U.S. The new townhouse units in Columbia Falls represent the 41st and 42nd homes built by the Flathead affiliate and the 26th Habitat home built in Columbia Falls.

Applicants must put in a certain number of hours working on the neighborhood — not just their own homes. In return, they pay an interest-free mortgage.

For A.J. Taylor and his family, the program has been a blessing. He lost the lease on the home he was living in, and right now his wife and three children live in a camper. They should be in their new Habitat home by this fall, he said. The only thing left is some flooring and finish work.

Taylor said it’s a great neighborhood. With everyone pitching in to help, you get to know your neighbors — though some are just old friends. Taylor, who graduated form Columbia Falls High School, went to junior high and high school with neighbor Joshua Jones and his family.

Mortgage and insurance payments are about $600 a month — less than rent, Taylor said, plus he’s building equity in a house.

“This program is an important part of building communities and families,” Daines said.

The Republican freshman Congressman said he was hopeful a Forest Service bill he’s sponsoring this session will get out of the House. The Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act looks to cut red tape surrounding some timber sales on National Forest lands.

“The odds of it getting it out the House are pretty good,” he said.

Daines said he’s reached out to Sens. Jon Tester and Max Baucus for their support on the bill.

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FVCC students to build a Habitat townhome

Students in the building trades program at Flathead Valley Community College will join Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley this fall to assist with construction of a townhome on Truck Route in Columbia Falls.

Now in its 18th year at the local community college, the building trades program carries a one-year Certificate of Applied Science or two-year Associate of Applied Science degree intended to prepare students for entry-level positions within the building trades field.

For the past few years, students have focused on producing and selling student built homes. Program coordinator Greg Waldrop said the change will offer students an opportunity to interact with Habitat for Humanity volunteers at the local and national levels.

“The students will be involved with their local community, homeowners and volunteers on a project that will bring them confidence, respect and skills in the construction industry,” Waldrop said.

Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes, by advocating for fair and just housing policies, and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions.

“We rely on the support of the community to build affordable homes,” executive director Christine Morris said. “What keeps them affordable is volunteer labor. The partnership with FVCC will allow us to build another home this year, and that’s a huge contribution to our community.”

Students enrolled in the program will be involved in all areas of residential construction. Habitat homes are built to the highest North West Energy Star Certification standards, providing FVCC students with the opportunity to learn the latest technology in building energy efficient homes.

Fall courses started Aug. 26. High school students may enroll in building trades courses for college credit through the Running Start program. For more information, call 756-3846 or 756-3942, visit online at www.fvcc.edu, or call Pete Wade at 756-3968 or Greg Waldrop at 249-6584.