Houser

Since the July 2018 tornado, Habitat for Humanity of Iowa has been on the ground helping with the rebuilding. It recently obtained the funds to form a mobile unit, headquartered in Marshalltown.

“When the tornado happened, we didn’t have a local team in Marshalltown, so we had to bring in people from the other Iowa affiliates,” Executive Director Lisa Houser said.

While the agency had been planning to form a mobile unit (consisting of staff and AmeriCorps members), the Marshalltown tornado jump-started the efforts.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority also liked the idea of a mobile unit, with the organization becoming Habitat’s top funding source. A sum of $460,000 has been raised to put together the mobile unit for one year’s time. The financial breakdown is as follows:

• $100,000 through the IEDA

• Corporation for National and Community Service – $196,002 (this was passed through IEDA)

• $100,000 from Iowa Finance Authority

• $25,000 from Alliant Energy

• First Congregational Church of Marshalltown: $25,000 given for the team and $75,000 given for materials

• Remaining amount is from smaller donations from the community

Suite 180 in the City Centre, 16 E. Main Street, is where Habitat staff have set up operations.

“The long-term benefit of this mobile response unit is significant,” IEDA Director Debi Durham said in a press release. “Once the work in Marshalltown is complete, the crew will be available to respond to disasters across Iowa and support rural housing builds in the communities in most need of our assistance.”

Habitat coordinates efforts with IEDA’s Commission on Volunteer Service to help residents assess damage and develop plans for rebuilding. Habitat is planning a blitz rebuild of 30 to 40 homes to be repaired from April 23-27. The goal is to rebuild 100 total homes in 2019.

“The blitz events are very high-energy and a great opportunity for volunteers to work on a large-scale project,” Houser said.

Habitat has set a goal of raising $1 million for the building supplies.

People may apply for rebuilding assistance through MICA (Mid-Iowa Community Action) and by calling Habitat’s main office at 515-266-6886.

Rebuilding is done through zero interest loans and repayment is on a sliding scale basis.

Houser said the mobile team will be dispatched wherever the need arises in Iowa.

“Marshalltown is centrally located and an ideal location for our mobile team,” she said.

To make a donation visit www.iowahabitat.org/donate

To learn more about volunteer opportunities email volunteer@iowahabitat.org.

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Contact Sara Jordan-Heintz at

641-753-6611 or

sjordan@timesrepublican.com