COLUMBUS, Ohio — Building homes is hard work, but the housing need across the state, including Central Ohio, is making that all the more challenging.
What You Need To Know
- According to Habitat for Humanity Mid-Ohio, housing in Central Ohio is in short supply
- Volunteers with the nonprofit are working to meet that need
- Habitat for Humanity Mid-Ohio estimates it has put more than 400 Central Ohio families in homes so far
Volunteers with Habitat for Humanity Mid-Ohio, like John Adland, are dealing with that day in and out.
“The fact that I get to combine construction with doing this good stuff is perfect for me,” said Adland.
Adland comes from a long bloodline of volunteers.
“My brother and older sister do a lot of volunteering,” he said. “Also, my younger sister.”
So, naturally, he became interested in helping Habitat for Humanity build and rehab homes. This home requires around 2,000 hours of his time.
Adland has volunteered for different habitats through the years, but when the need grew, he only worked harder.
Right now, according to President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Mid-Ohio E.J. Thomas, housing in Central Ohio is in short supply.
“We’re down about 54,000 homes for low and moderate-income folks. That’s the need that we need to meet,” Thomas explained.
He said that’s largely due to the influx of people moving here.
“If you throw in all of the growth, that’s coming to Columbus, say, with Intel and all the new folks that are going to be coming in by 2050, the need is just going to snowball,” he said.
While the need gives volunteers like Adland enough reason to help, Adland finds other perks in his work, like learning about the homeowners he helps.
“Over the last 13 years or so,” said Adland, “I’ve really gotten to know them a little bit. And it changes everything face-to-face. Nothing about it. Nothing better about it.”
That good feeling of helping others is what keeps him going day in and out.
“You know, as long as I’m physically able to do this,” Adland said, “I’ll just keep doing it.”
Habitat for Humanity Mid-Ohio estimates it has put more than 400 Central Ohio families in homes over the last 35 years.
