Habitat home in Forreston will be put up for sale
By Vinde Wells - Editor
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| Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County has put this house, located on Second Ave in Forreston, on the market to recoup their expenses to remedy a mold problem which resulted from a failed sump pump. ( Photo by Vinde Wells) |
Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County (HFHOC) won’t be building any new homes until they can resolve problems with one they built in almost three years ago.
In a letter addressed to Builders Club members, HFHOC Chapter President Brenda Hayden announced that a home built in Forreston in 2007 has been put on the market.
“However, due to the unforeseen issues that have occurred and our inability to find a qualified family for this home, the Habitat Board of Directors has come to the difficult decision to put the house up for sale,” Hayden said in the letter.
The Builders Club is comprised of individuals who have donated money for building projects.
In the letter, Hayden said a major problem arose when a sump pump failed in the basement of the new home, resulting in mold developing throughout the one-story structure, which is on Second Avenue at the south end of the village.
The house was completely gutted, Hayden said, which remedied the mold problem, and is now being refinished inside.
“It’s just about finished inside,” Hayden said Tuesday. “It’s something we had no control over. It’s just an unfortunate thing that happened, and now we’re trying to do the responsible thing.”
She said the home is being shown by a local realtor.
Hayden said in the letter that the home will be sold to recoup the expenses HFHOC incurred to remedy the mold problem.
“As a consequence, we will not be able to take on another build porject in Ogle County until we can remedy this situation,” the letter said.
Snce organizing in 2002 HFHOC has built five homes in Ogle County — two in Polo, two in Forreston, and one in Byron.
Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry, comprised of volunteers, that welcomes to all people dedicated to eliminating poverty housing.
Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built more than 200,000 houses in nearly 100 countries, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than a million people.
Future homeowners help build their homes and then buy them through affordable, no-profit mortgages; their payments go into a Fund for Humanity to build additional homes.
To be chosen as the recipient of a Habitat home, a family must apply and undergo a lengthy selection process.
For more information, visit www.habitat.org.
