BETTER HOUSING: The Path To Home Ownership

Posted on: 7:54 pm, March 8, 2014, by Erik Wheater, updated on: 07:56pm, March 8, 2014

Thousands of people visited the Home and Remodeling Show to find ideas for their homes and left with something far more valuable.

Living in sub-standard housing is a reality for 10,000 people in Polk County.If you havent lived in crammed quarters, spending more than half of your income on housing, chances are youd never know.

Theres an example of fifty dollars of food and a family making that list for a whole week of groceries, said Lance Penning, Executive Director for Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity.

At the Home and Remodeling show, Habitat for Humanity has a unique home on display.

Half of it is built to resemble the living conditions of some of the countys poorest residents, the other half is designed show the journey to home ownership for more than 200 families who have had their lives changed by the organization.

They go into home finance, home maintenance, and home repair, said Penning.

Walking through the house was an eye opening experience for Cat Nicol.Shes donated to Habitat for Humanity in the past, but had never seen the impact her dollars truly have on Iowa families.

You dont really think about it here. There are a lot of people that need help, said Nicol.

Nicol says after seeing the way some people live, shes inspired to give her time as well.

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BETTER HOUSING: The Path To Home Ownership