Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County selects next family to receive a home

OGLE COUNTY – Elias and Betty Sotelo and their two children Maya, 8, and Kiana, 5 will receive a home in Mt. Morris at 408 West Front Street. The family currently resides in Mt. Morris. The family selection committee spent hours talking with families before selecting the Sotelo’s for this year’s build.

“This family is very deserving. They are committed to working with Habitat to complete the home and sweat equity requirements,” said Sue Benesh of the Family Selection Committee.

Habitat for Humanity requires a new homeowner to put sweat equity in the home. These hours building the home allow the family to experience the entire home building process. The Sotelo’s will put in these sweat equity hours throughout the building process. The completed home will also have an interest-free mortgage. The new homeowner will make payments that include the loan, insurance, and taxes.

Numerous volunteers and businesses will also help throughout the process.

“Volunteers are the backbone of our builds,” said Bob Van Stedum, Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County President. “We could not accomplish what we do without them. We are currently in need of a general contractor or contractors for this project. “

Volunteers are given the opportunity to learn new skills and to utilize their special talents. Please consider joining Habitat for Humanity in its new build. Among other volunteers, a general contractor is needed to oversee the project.

Since it was founded in 2002, Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County has completed ten houses. So far volunteers have built homes in Byron, Forreston, Mt. Morris, Oregon, and Polo.

Habitat for Humanity International is comprised of volunteers, that welcomes all people dedicated to eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built more than 200,000 houses in nearly 100 countries, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than a million people.

Future homeowners help build their homes and then buy them through affordable, no-profit mortgages; their payments go into a Fund for Humanity to build additional homes.

The basic selection criteria are:

• Owners have a need for adequate housing and do not currently own a home

• They are willing to help build a home – 200 hours of “sweat equity” required per adult family member

• They meet the income guidelines based on family size and show the ability to pay the monthly mortgage.

Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County continually seeks funds, donations, and volunteers to help keep the final mortgage as low as possible.

Current Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County Board members are Bob Van Stedum, president; Don Schier, vice president; Katie Van Stedum, secretary; Dave Starke, vice president; Shellie Knox, treasurer; Lori Wagner, Randy Wagner, Dirk Meminger, Lorna Snapp, Gail Tuttle, Tom Hughes, Virgil Rocke, Doug Knodle, Wayne Bearman, and Brion Brooks.

For more information or to volunteer call Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County at 815-732-6855.

Donations of any amount to help with this build can be sent to: Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County, P.O. Box 628, Oregon, IL 61061.