‘Putting down roots’ in Keokuk – Keokuk Gate City Daily

Construction of Keokuks 26th Habitat for Humanity house at 704 High St. is going smoothly, according to HFH Board members and volunteers.

Trevor and Jessica Pullinger of Keokuk have been selected as prospective owners of the property. The couple moved from Quincy, Ill., to Keokuk about four years ago for Trevors job at the Church of All Saints.

The family of six which includes Elijah, 7, Emma, 6, Ellanor, 2, and Elizabeth, 5 months learned in early April that its application had been approved. Since then, everything has happened so fast, according to stay-at-home mom Jessica.

When he decided to enter the ministry, Trevor knew financial sacrifices would be necessary.

We never thought we would be able to be homeowners until our kids were out of the house, Jessica said.

Gods been very good to us, Trevor added. Weve always trusted in the Lord, and stuff has always worked out.

Applicants are chosen based on their current housing needs and their ability to make payments on the house, according to HFH Selection Committee Chair Ann Eaton.

We were very, very happy to be able to choose (the Pullingers) as our family for this project, Eaton said.

Community members had been encouraging the couple over the past year and a half to submit an application, according to Jessica. She and Trevor discussed it for a while before they decided it couldnt hurt to toss their hats in the ring.

At the end of their interview with the Selection Committee, the Pullingers said no matter whose application was chosen, Habitat for Humanity was an organization they wanted to support going forward.

I didnt know a whole lot about Habitat before this whole process started, Trevor said.

Place of their own

The Pullingers believe the opportunity allows them to finally put down roots in Keokuk. Theyre looking forward to making the finished house a place of their own something they havent been free to do as renters.

(Itll be nice) to change things with the house, to add a garden, to do things that are permanent, Jessica said. Weve been renting for our whole marriage. Itll be good for us to be able to say its ours.

Habitat for Humanity encourages prospective homeowners to put in sweat equity during construction. Although Trevor admits hes not much of a handyman, hes been doing all he can to assist the construction crew which includes project coordinator Paul Von Kiedrowski, site supervisor Terry Lovell and five offenders from the correctional facility in Mount Pleasant.

Usually what I try to do is work (in the mornings) at the house, and do whatever they need everything from helping them climb into the rafters to putting up the walls, Trevor said.

Jessica also pitches in by bringing Gatorade to the construction site, and has been documenting the project with photographs. Those who want to follow the progress can search on Facebook for Pullingers Habitat Adventure, a public group.

The 1,288-square-foot structure will feature three bedrooms, one bathroom and a finished basement. The foundation for the home was poured in fall 2016, and construction began May 22. Von Kiedrowski anticipates the house will be finished in mid- to late August.

Ive got some very good help, and its coming along real well, Von Kiedrowski said. Were now putting on the roof. Everythings running pretty smoothly right now.

Subcontractors are responsible for plumbing, heating and cooling and electrical installation.

HFH Board President Tim Peevler appreciates the communitys support of each Habitat home project.

We have so many volunteers, he said. We have drivers from all walks of life (who transport the offenders). We have individuals, churches and organizations that provide the meals every day. Its such a great partnership between the community, the family and the prison. If it wasnt for the prison, we wouldnt be able to do the build because they supply all the labor.

About HFH

According to its mission statement, Habitat for Humanity of Keokuk is an ecumenical Christian housing ministry working in partnership with the community of Keokuk to eliminate substandard and inadequate housing by building simple, decent, affordable homes in partnership with Gods people in need.

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'Putting down roots' in Keokuk - Keokuk Gate City Daily