Hickory Rotarian Mitzi Gellman (L), executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley spoke to Hickory Rotary Thursday about Habitat’s service to the Catawba Valley. Joining Mitzi was guest speaker, Meg Robertson (R), Habitat for Humanity Metrolina Partners’ executive director. Started in 2011, Habitat for Humanity Metrolina Partners includes affiliate Habitat partners and 11 Metrolina ReStores in the areas of Cabarrus County, Catawba Valley, Charlotte, Gaston County, Iredell County, Lincoln County, Matthews, Our Towns (serving Mooresville, Davidson, Cornelius, and Huntersville) and York County, SC. Collectively they collaborate to further Habitat’s mission of providing housing for those in need.
Founded in 1985, Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley is a non-profit, Christian-based community organization dedicated to building simple, decent, and affordable housing for hard-working, low-income families in our community. Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley is a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International and is governed by a local Board of Directors.
Building homes solely in Catawba County, Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley builds approximately 10 houses a year with the help of many volunteers and donors. Habitat builds houses 
through partnerships with diverse segments of the community such as churches and temples, businesses and individuals, service clubs and foundations. Thanks to this support from the community, Habitat has built over 130 houses in Catawba County.
Habitat homeowners must complete 35 hours of homeowner education hours and 250 hours of volunteer time before they can purchase their home. Every homeowner has a mortgage with payments that equal 27% of their income. Prospective Habitat homeowners also wait more than a year to purchase the home of their dreams. Houses are sold to selected qualified families at no profit, financed with affordable loans. The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are used to build more Habitat houses.
Last year Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley broke ground on a new subdivision in Hickory’s Green Park neighborhood. With three homes completed and two more underway, the community should be completed by 2015. With the help of Abee Architecture, a series of new house plans were developed with accommodations for “aging in place.” Wider halls, doorways and bathrooms to accommodate wheelchairs and an accessible exterior entranceway are all features of the new design.
Habitat for Humanity also operates a ReStore which is located at 1615 8th Street DR SE in Hickory, NC. The ReStore has everything you could want for your home at significant savings. Stock includes nearly-new furniture, appliances, books, cabinets, kitchenware, children’s toys, and more. Inventory changes daily, so buyers should check stock frequently. The ReStore accepts donations of gently used household items from businesses, manufacturers and individuals. Donations may be dropped off at the store from Monday through Saturday, 10am-4pm. For bulkier items, call Melissa at 828-328-4663 to schedule a pickup.
For more information call (828) 328-4663 or visit http://habitatcatawbavalley.org.
