ABOVE: Habitat for Humanity of Martin and Faribault County’s 12th competed home, located at 415 W. 6th St. in Fairmont. This is the non-profit’s 12th completed home.

FAIRMONT– Habitat for Humanity of Martin and Faribault County dedicated its 12th home, located in Fairmont, on Sunday.

Habitat for Humanity is a christian housing ministry that works with families that are unable to obtain a conventional mortgage. The non-profit uses as much volunteer labor and donated material as it can to either build or rehab a home that is then sold to a selected family with a 30 year montage at a zero percent interest rate.

“I don’t think we have a family that pays over $525 a month, which is cheaper than any place you can rent in Fairmont,” said Executive Director, Staci Thompson.

Thompson explained that the organization selects families through an extensive application process.

“There are income guidelines and you have to be a resident of Faribault or Martin County for at least a year. You have to have a housing need. Your current living situation has to be considered substandard. It’s either too small, or needs windows, or the roof is bad,” Thompson said.

All factors are considered, as well as a family’s ability to pay. Thompson said they also run a credit report and look at payment history.

“You have to also be willing to partner with us. That means you have to put in 500 hours of sweat equity. You need to help through fundraisers and might need to speak at an event or something. And you have to agree to take coursework on home buying and budgeting,” Thompson said.

As for securing a home or location, Thompson said opportunities come to them one way or another. While Habitat for Humanity used to work with cities on obtaining property, now it looks for something on its own.

The house it dedicated on Sunday came to the nonprofit through word of mouth, but other properties have been donated by individuals and in the past houses have been donated by the DNR.

Thompson said it has been several years since Habitat for Humanity has done a new build.

“We bought the last house that Fairmont High School built back in 2010. They quit doing that program but hopefully it’s starting again this fall and they’ll be partnering with us on rehabilitating a home,” said Thompson.

While Thompson is the only full-time staff member, Rich Jensen, Habitat for Humanities’ construction manager, secures work with multiple contractors.

“This house has been completely renovated,” Jensen said on Sunday. “It’s been re-insulated, re-wired, re-plumbed. There’s new flooring, new sheetrock, a new roof.”

“He’s done a lot more than he said and he’s done more than we can ever fathom. We have a thousand thank-yous to Rich,” Thompson said.

Habitat for Humanity also has a board of directors which includes Jim Wood, Jeff Sauer, Terry Mahlherek, Richard Jensen, Danielle Luniewski and Sierra McCraw.

Thompson shared that they’re always looking for volunteers to help with things like painting and removing glue and carpet from flooring. She said a lot of the work is unskilled.

While the organization used to have more volunteer help, Thompson said every affiliate across the state has struggled to receive volunteer help since covid started.

“I think people got out of the habit and it’s been hard to get them back in,” she said.

She noted that it would be good work for a service club or church group to help with. She said typically people or a group will come in and put in a full day’s work as it’s hard to get much progress made in a few hours.

Thompson said they’re not a quick option for anyone, as it can take a year or more start to finish to complete a home.

“Our speed depends on how many volunteers we have,” Thompson said.

Thomson has been the Executive Director here for over eight years. Prior to that she worked for the Mankato affiliate and she has held several roles within the organization.

“I love working with the families and getting to know them and seeing what a difference that a simple, decent, affordable home can make… it’s night and day,” Thompson said.

Currently, Habitat for Humanity is working on three homes between the two counties. Thompson said they’re currently seeking applicants for Martin and Faribault county. Anyone who is interested can call her at 507-526-2500.