February 22, 2023 – Peggy Myers of Hickory Point Bank and Ed Smith of Habitat for Humanity joined Byers & Co for the “Hickory Point Bank Community Invested” segment. Peggy talked about her passion for serving on the Habitat for Humanity board and Ed discussed how they are helping families with affordable housing and how that can positively impact families in other ways.
Decatur Area Habitat for Humanity (DAH4H) works with families who cannot qualify for a conventional loan to provide a source of quality, affordable housing. Decatur Area Habitat builds alongside partners and at the completion of the home, DAH4H provides the homeowners a no interest mortgage. The mortgage, paid by the homeowners, is recycled back into the building program to help build more houses. With their help, Habitat homeowners achieve the strength, stability, and independence they need to build a better life for themselves and their families.
DAH4H also works to provide financial education and teach our homeowners how to maintain their homes. DAH4H’s ReStore accepts donations including construction materials, furniture, appliances, and cabinets, which annually saves tons of materials from entering the landfills.
DAH4H recently partnered with the City of Decatur to begin rehabilitation of homes in our community. The City agreed to donate $250,000, from the American Relief funds to DAH4H for the rehabilitation project. This work is also being done in a partnership with the high school Vocational Building program through District 61. Students from both high schools have been working on the homes, working with union members, providing training and apprenticeship opportunities.
Hickory Point Bank employees have been a valuable partner with Habitat for numerous years. Prior to COVID, a group of employees volunteered to work the ReStore on a regular basis. As DAH4H began their rehabilitation project with DPS61, employees from Hickory Point Bank volunteered to sponsor an open house for the parents, board members, community officials and neighborhood members.
Learn more about the Decatur Area Habitat for Humanity and ReStore HERE and listen to the podcast below!
