Habitat MidOhio Launches $3.5 Million Licking County Habitat Initiative and Closes on Building Purchase
Habitat for Humanity – MidOhio to open Licking County ReStore and Family and Program Center!
COLUMBUS, Ohio (August 1, 2022) – Habitat for Humanity – MidOhio is proud to announce the launch of the Licking County Habitat Initiative (LCHI)! Habitat MidOhio has already invested $2 million towards the $3.5 million goal and is seeking support from the generous people, businesses, and community leaders of Licking County to raise the final $1.5 million. Of note is that more than $600k has been pledged to date.
The cornerstone of the LCHI is the purchase of 1600-1680 N. 21st Street in Newark. After a five-year search for the perfect location, the purchase was completed on July 29, 2022. The organization is pleased to have received financing from Park National Bank, helping to make this dream a reality. The new ReStore and Family and Program Center will create twelve new local jobs and support an increase in the number of families served in Licking County.
With plans to open later this fall, Habitat MidOhio will occupy the storefront previously home to FrontRoom Furnishings, while the other three existing tenants will remain in place. This marks the organization’s first retail and office space purchase outside of Franklin County and builds upon their commitment to the residents of Licking County. Habitat MidOhio began working in the area in 2012 and over the past ten years has been honored to serve sixty families through new home construction, rehabs, and home repairs.
The ReStore is a retail operation that accepts donations of new and used building materials and household goods and sells them to the general public at greatly reduced costs. These donated products help divert several thousand tons of reusable items from our local landfills each year. The ReStore also provides the community with a low-cost source of materials for home repairs and improvements, which helps make homeownership more affordable.
Sharing the storefront with the ReStore will be the Family and Program Center, which will provide critical office space where current and potential partner families can be introduced, and guided through, Habitat’s application process. The office will have regular hours and be staffed by a combination of volunteers and Habitat’s Homeowner Services Team.
Speaking on the Licking County Habitat Initiative, affiliate Pres. & CEO E.J. Thomas stated, “Following our five-year search, and reviewing as many potential ReStore locations in Newark, we are delighted to be moving forward with this new ReStore and Family & Program Center located on North 21st Street. We are grateful to Park National Bank for their confidence in our mission and affiliate, along with their willingness to provide us with the building loan that makes all this possible.”
For more information, to schedule an interview or visit us on site, please contact Kate Ames at (740) 405-7877 or via e-mail at kames@habitatmidohio.org.
ABOUT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY-MIDOHIO
Affordable, decent housing is one of our most basic human needs, yet it is in alarmingly short supply in our very own neighborhoods and throughout the world. A decent place to call home creates stability, launching families onto a positive trajectory of generational change that includes hope, improved health, and a better quality of life.
Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio has spent 35 years bringing the dream of homeownership to families in need. Working in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity International, Habitat MidOhio’s partners, donors, and volunteers have played a significant role in rekindling hope for more than 790 families through new home construction, rehabs, and home repairs. In addition, and through our tithe program, the affiliate has served an additional 350-plus families in several African countries.
For more information, please visit www.HabitatMidOhio.org.
