Habitat chapter transitioning to Fuller Center affiliation

Since its revitalization in 2019, Habitat for Humanity Executive Director David L. English has taken stock in the work of the Putnam County chapter.

The chapter has completed 20 projects since it was established in 1988. Having been inactive from 2016 until that revitalization, completing its home on Albin Pond Road amid COVID-19 was consequential.

That build showed that the chapter was viable and ready to promote housing in the community. Conscious of the resources required to do so, Habitat is making a transition to ensure that viability.

Rather than with the broader organization of Habitat for Humanity, the chapter will be affiliated with The Fuller Center for Housing. The impetus is for it to be committed to its mission, and not restricted as such with regulations urged by Habitat’s structure.

“I want to emphasize the fact that we’re moving on from a position of security, both financial and organizational,” English told the Banner Graphic recently about the change.

The chapter completed the Albin Pond Road build by staying ahead of the creditors, as English put it. Taking on the project in the first place was a leap of faith, but it came to fruition because of partnerships, and through much give and take.

The chapter’s board of directors got up to English’s “magic number” of 13 members during the process. It is at eight now because of terms letting up or members leaving the community. But new people are actively being recruited.

English related that the transition comes down to it being difficult for small, rural chapters such as Putnam County’s to follow regulations set by Habitat International.

The chapter’s financial obligations include yearly dues of $2,250, a mandatory tithe of $1,800 and insurance through Habitat International at $7,800, all of which are to increase per a new asset assessment scheme. This is apart from fundraising toward projects.

English credited support from Iris Dooling, a DePauw graduate and former board member who works as Habitat Indiana’s deputy director. They have advocated for a consortium of chapters like Putnam County’s, but some needs have not been addressed by Habitat International.

Habitat International requires chapters to build a new home every three years. In the interims, they have to complete a remodel, rehab or repair that would qualify to its specifications.

“As we looked around, we looked at, ‘What does this community need?’” English said, referencing a local shortage of housing. “We want to build a new house, but we have to do it from a position where we’re financially able to do that, and not within those guidelines.”

The realization came, he said, that the chapter can consistently do smaller-scale projects such as repairs or remodels. These projects have just as much impact as a full-build project.

Indeed, the chapter recently remodeled the home of a Vietnam War veteran and his wife. It is currently building a garage-apartment kit for a woman in Fillmore, who lost her home after her husband was admitted to a long-term health care facility.

As to obligations to Fuller, the chapter will pay no dues, while an “as-you-can” tithe is requested but not required. More crucially, English said, the chapter can be free to complete different projects as it is able.

“With no hard-and-fast rules with Fuller, we save money financially, we’re able to impact the community more often,” English said, “and then, on our schedule, be able to build a new house whenever we can.”

English has held that these projects are meant to give a hand up, not a handout. A partner family must put in sweat equity and a mortgage on a full Habitat home build. For remodels, recipients enter into contracts for recouping material costs.

English noted that Habitat International has figured losing small chapters by not being able to provide services. It has thus created a program in which those in good standing can transition to other organizations such as Fuller.

This is how Putnam County’s chapter is moving forward. It is to keep its 501(c)(3) status and only have its name changed. As such, the chapter will be entered into a non-binding covenant with Fuller.

“I do appreciate the help we’re getting in this transition,” English said about working with Habitat on the process. “They understand where we’re coming from, and they acknowledge that.”

The chapter’s move away from Habitat is to be complete by the end of the month.