Mifflin County Habitat Builds 12 Homes, Seeks Volunteers

In Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, a small nonprofit has quietly helped a dozen families achieve something many thought impossible: owning their own home.

Since 1999, Mifflin County Habitat for Humanity has built 12 homes for families who couldn't afford traditional mortgages. Only one family has ever stopped paying, a success rate that president Jeff Bell attributes to careful family selection and affordable zero-interest payments.

The program isn't about giving homes away. Families must qualify based on need, prove they can repay a nonprofit mortgage, and contribute their own labor to building. They pay monthly with no interest charges, often less than they paid in rent.

Bell shared that one recent homeowner now pays less each month than she did as a renter. The organization deliberately keeps payments low so families can afford groceries and other necessities, not just housing.

The costs have climbed significantly over the years. The first home built in 2001 cost around $35,000, while their most recent home finished last December totaled $138,000. Rising expenses mean the chapter needs more helping hands than ever.

That's where volunteers come in. Bell and colleague Jennifer Bright spoke at a Lewistown Rotary Club meeting this week, emphasizing that volunteers don't need construction experience. The organization offers multiple ways to help through their Brush with Kindness Program, which focuses on home repairs for elderly residents, veterans, and people with limited mobility.

The Ripple Effect

The smaller repair projects serve a dual purpose. Volunteers install grab bars, fix ramps, replace roofs and windows, helping vulnerable residents stay safely in their homes. Meanwhile, those same volunteers gain training that prepares them for larger home building projects.

Each family that moves from renting to owning creates stability that extends beyond four walls. Children grow up with a permanent address. Neighborhoods gain invested homeowners. Communities become stronger one foundation at a time.

The Christian-based nonprofit relies entirely on volunteer labor and donations to keep building. Their track record speaks for itself: 11 out of 12 families still making their payments, proving that affordable homeownership works when families get the right support.

Anyone interested in volunteering can reach out through the chapter's website at mifflinhabitat.com/contact.