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COMMUNITIES - August 2004
Marlene’s husband, Mark, faced a similar struggle when he left the family’s apartment. He has degenerative spinal disease and permanent nerve root injuries as well as “two or three other things that I can’t pronounce.” He can stand for ten to 15 minutes once or twice a day, but stays in a wheelchair the remainder of the time. Six-year-old Justin couldn’t help either. The blonde-haired first grader with a snaggletooth smile is too small. But on July 9, the Bishops’ daily battle with the stairs was officially over, and the Bishops had won. That’s when the family got a home at 152 Alabama Avenue – the 214th house Lexington Habitat for Humanity (LHFH) has built. And this one is handicapped accessible. While families like the Bishops have long been Habitat’s biggest beneficiaries since the organization’s beginning, a new study shows businesses and other homeowners are catching a small windfall of revenue each time the organization builds a home. In 2002, Lexington’s HFH added a total economic value of more than $1.5 million to Central Kentucky, according to the study, which was sponsored by the University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics. Some of that value, $829,341, went to individuals through interest savings for participating families, utility savings and employee compensation. Local government saw $235,981 of the value through payroll taxes, increased property taxes and sales tax from Renovation Station, LHFH’s building supply and furniture store. And companies in Fayette County reaped $473,175 through expenditures of consumable goods, construction and professional and other services. The study was conducted by UK professor Dr. Walter Ferrier, and MBA students Glenn Hamilton, Bill Quenemoen and Tony Shartle. Using local property tax records, Internal Revenue Service Form 990 tax returns, audited financial records and other sources, they found that “LHFH has a measurable, positive impact on Fayette County’s economy and provides recurring benefits to individuals, local businesses, and the community.” The researchers concluded that while several of the benefits from Habitat would disappear if the organization were to disband – salaries and operating expenses, for example – “there are numerous recurring benefits that grow over time.” For instance, no matter who builds the home, its owner still pays property taxes. Metro Louisville HFH’s finance committee – comprised of CPAs and a University of Louisville economics professor – estimates HFH homeowners collectively pay some $402,000 in property taxes each year. Kirkpatrick said that is probably a conservative figure because the committee used the sale prices of the homes. Homes that were purchased 10 years ago for $30,000 are now worth between $75,000 and $80,000, significantly increasing the actual property taxes paid. “There is a lot of anecdotal evidence about the other economic impacts of our homeowners,” Kirkpatrick said. “When they move into a new home, they have to buy things they never needed before because they are coming out of apartments. They have no yard equipment, for example, so they need lawnmowers, rakes, and hoses. The local merchants pick up that new business. “When it is possible, the homeowners upgrade their furniture. And if you look at Habitat homes five years after the homeowner moves in, you find that they have put up a fence, added more landscaping and personalized their home. They become an economic engine in that neighborhood.” Back in Lexington, one of the people behind construction of the Bishop’s home understands both this financial impact and the less-quantifiable emotional side of home ownership. Don Ball, chairman of the board for Ball Homes, has been personally involved in building at least one home every year since HFH was established in Lexington. This time, Habitat provided the lot, and Ball Homes built the house from the foundation up with assistance from employees of Fifth Third Bank and Milestone Realty Consultants. Ball Homes, Fifth Third Bank, and Milestone Realty Consultants shared in the sponsorship costs. Ball said he did so because of how important it is to have a house. “I grew up in a non-ownership situation,” Ball recalled. “My first house was at 704 Loudon Avenue after my wife and I married. I was prouder of that house than any since. This is an opportunity to see others achieve that dream. The feeling of emotion you saw today (at the home’s dedication), it’s real. It is very addictive when you get involved. I am proud to be a part of it.” Now the Bishops are living that dream in a handsome ranch with walnut-brown siding and black shutters. For the first time, Mark and Marlene have a bedroom of their own; in the apartment, they slept in the living room. Justin and Anthony have bedrooms of their own, too. The family no longer has to trek to the laundromat; now they have a utility room with a washer and dryer. Best of all, “it’s ours,” said Mark. “We own it. We can put out a little garden. We can do whatever. It’s great. It’s great.” With tears trickling from her eyes, Marlene told the small crowd gathered for the house dedication much the same thing. “I didn’t expect to get teary-eyed,” she said. “I thought I had gotten that out of my system, but God has blessed us so much with this home and all the people who helped build it. Now we have a place to call home.” Part of that time is spent learning about home ownership, according to Grant Eaton Phelps, executive director of LHFH. “Habitat for Humanity is not just a home builder,” Phelps said. “We are also a social service agency. We educate our homeowners on budgeting, financial management, and home repair. These are life skills many of us take for granted, but most of our homeowners have only rented or been in Section 8 housing. There is a huge educational component involved. It is what makes us so successful.” Back at 152 Alabama Ave., a little girl ran excitedly behind young Justin as he showed off his new home. “Want to see our bathroom?” Justin asked her. “It’s way cool.” The Lane Report is a trademark of Lane Communications Group. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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For eight years, Marlene Bishop pulled her son Anthony’s wheelchair up the steps from their one-bedroom basement apartment when they went anywhere. A petite woman not much larger than her eight-year-old son, Marlene would pull the wheelchair backwards one step at a time, trying not to jostle Anthony more than needed. Anthony has severe cerebral palsy.
That’s probably also true wherever HFH builds homes in Kentucky. In McCracken County, HFH will build four homes in 2004, according to Karen Cox, executive director for the McCracken County HFH. In metropolitan Louisville, HFH will build 24 homes this year, a number that keeps growing, said Diane Kirkpatrick, executive director of HFH of Metro Louisville.
Kirkpatrick also noted the added value isn’t limited to property taxes.
HFH homeowners are required to work first on someone else’s home and then on their own. A single parent is required to put in 250 hours; a married couple must complete 500 hours. Marlene needed to complete the majority of that time herself because of her husband’s disabilities.