Another 25 years of making homeowners
Montana Governor Marc Racicot came home to Libby Monday and worked on the community’s first Habitat for Humanity house. (Joe Chopyak photo, Aug. 28, 1996)
In 1992, a group of local people met to discuss the possibility of beginning an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity in south Lincoln County. They felt that Libby and Troy were ideal candidates for Habitat’s mission of eliminating poverty housing by building simple, decent houses with no-interest mortgages for people in need.
Little did our ecumenical group know the work ahead would take a few years before the first foundation would even be dug and the first nail pounded! The group formed committees and began the process to comply with the standards set forth by Habitat for Humanity.
In 1995, Kootenai Valley Partners Habitat for Humanity hosted the first STOKR (Scenic Tour of the Kootenai River) ride as a fundraiser. Ninety-eight riders came to Libby for the two-day bike tour, and $7,614.42 was raised to begin the first house.
With some funding in place, the family selection committee then got busy and advertised the upcoming build scheduled for 1996. John and Mary Ostman were selected to be the first homeowners. The construction committee got the house plans ready and volunteers and local contractors signed on to help. Even then-Governor Marc Racicot showed up to help.
Fast forward to 2019. The 25th Annual STOKR ride is scheduled for May 11 to 12. Our little fundraiser has gotten so popular in those years that we now have to cap the number of participants at 425 riders. Last year’s ride raised over $34,000, and KVP will be breaking ground on Habitat Home number 13 this spring. Those are some big changes.
There are three requirements to be a Habitat family. A family must be in need of decent housing, able to pay the no-interest mortgage, and be willing to partner with Habitat for Humanity, which includes around 200 “sweat equity” hours, some of which can be done by family and friends.
Becoming a Habitat homeowner is about a hand up, not a hand out. Homeowners pay a monthly mortgage plus escrow to cover taxes and insurance. What they don’t pay is interest, and that helps keep the mortgage affordable for people who would not otherwise qualify for a home loan. The mortgage is based on the cost to build the house rather than the appraised value of the house.
We are very proud that the families in the first two homes have paid off their mortgages. That is a very big accomplishment for some local volunteers and a few people on bikes.