Winneshiek County Habitat for Humanity getting ready to build its next house

Jeff Kimber and Cathy Straube of Decorah with their two year old daughter, Kiah

Winneshiek County Habitat for Humanity is getting ready to build a new home in Spillville.

Construction should start in early October on a lot in Spillville donated by John and Mary Klimesh of Decorah.  A Decorah couple, Jeff Kimber and Cathy Straube, have agreed to be Habitat's partner couple on the project.

"We've been looking at houses for a couple years, but they have all been too expensive for us," says Straube.

The goal for Habitat is to work in partnership with people in need to build or renovate decent, affordable housing for them. The houses are sold at no profit and with no interest charged to low-income working families. Jeff and Cathy are both employed: Jeff as a rock crusher for Bruening Rock Products and Cathy works at Barthell OES Home as a dietary aide.

Volunteers provide much of the labor.  Partner families and their relatives invest hundreds of hours of labor--or "sweat equity"--into building their homes. 

For further information on eligibility requirements or simply for general information about Habitat, visit www.winneshiekhabitat.org or contact Gus Johnson at 563 382 1802.  Persons wishing to donate may send donations to Box 457, Decorah.  Winneshiek County Habitat for Humanity (WCHFH) is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization.