Habitat for Humanity builds homes at former Ames Middle School location

The old Ames Middle School location on State Street is getting a new lease on life.

The lot has been empty for several years following the building's closure in 2005, but a new development of single-family homes is set to fill the void.

The Baker Subdivision will be home to around 30 residences, with Habitat for Humanity of Central Iowa building seven. The subdivision's first contractor is currently building three homes on South Wilmoth Drive. The final four houses will be built over the next three years, Habitat for Humanity of Central Iowa executive director Dan Nutini said.

The Habitat homes are made possible through a partnership with the City of Ames, the project developer. The city helps connect potential homeowners with Habitat for Humanity, and the non-profit helps create a home that best suits them.

“There are roughly 30 single-family lots out here, and we own seven of them,” Nutini said. “The city helps refer potential homebuyers to us, and then they apply through Habitat, so we work together on actually getting the families into the houses. It’s a great partnership.”

Construction on the first three homes started in the spring, and the goal is to close on those properties next spring.

The homes have a minimum space of 1,100 square feet on the first floor, which is driven by the design covenant and city ordinance.

With a full basement and an attached one-car garage, each home’s main floor will have two bedrooms, a full bathroom, a laundry room, and an open floor plan with a kitchen, dining, and living space. A deck will lead to the backyard.

The basement will be home to another bedroom, a second full bathroom, as well as some unfinished space, which provide each family with the flexibility to create an extra bedroom, family room or whatever best fits.

The homes are connected to geothermal wells to help with energy production.

More: After 10-year effort, Ames chooses developer for Baker Subdivision affordable housing

Habitat for Humanity families do pay for homes

There’s a common misconception, Nutini said, that families get Habitat homes for free.

“Nothing could be further from the truth,” he said.

Habitat for Humanity of Central Iowa has completed about 70 homes in Ames and the surrounding area.

All of the new homeowners go through an extensive application process and must qualify for a no-interest mortgage, on which they make monthly payments.

They must agree that the home won't be used as a rental property. They also are required to help build the home. Habitat calls it “sweat equity,” which involves 450 hours of work for each family.

Dedicated Habitat employees make a difference

Chuck Abbott, a part-time construction foreman for Habitat, has helped build around 60 Habitat homes. He started as a volunteer and has had “about every position" possible.

“I’ve always enjoyed building things,” Abbott said. “I especially enjoy the rough framing because you can really see what you’ve accomplished.”

Curt Samson, a part-time assistant foreman, also started as a volunteer. The fellowship and the satisfaction of working on a project are what drew him to Habitat.

He first applied to work at the Habitat for Humanity store, but when Marsha Taylor saw the skills he listed on his application, she sent him to a job site.

He’s hooked.

Taylor herself started as a volunteer, and now she’s the one who organizes volunteers both on-site and at the Habitat Store.

Volunteers are crucial to Habitat for Humanity's success

“We have an unbelievable group of folks that help us out on our projects,” Nutini said. “And we’re getting some sponsorship on our homes, where a company or an organization has agreed to commit financially to a home.”

The Baker Subdivision construction site signage indicates the many sponsors, including Chevron REG and Munn Lumber. Eventually, seven sponsors will help round out the project.

“To interject those corporate dollars have been very beneficial, and we’re looking for more sponsorships as we move ahead,” Nutini said. “It’s all about community partnerships for us.”

Habitat for Humanity also relies on contributions from individuals and families in the community. The Habitat Store, located at 3504 Grand Ave. in Ames, is a significant source of funds for local projects. Anyone can donate furniture and home goods and residents can stop by to shop as well.

“We actually get a lot of people who are unaware that they can shop at our store,” Nutini said. “They think you have to be low-income or meet a certain economic criteria, but we’re trying to get the word out that anybody can come shop there, and anybody can donate good there.”

A truck will come pick up furniture if residents are unable to bring it by the store. It's all part of Habitat's mission to provide many options for the communities they serve.

“And all of the money stays local," Nutini said. "All of those dollars get pumped right back into the local community. So when people ask me how they can support Habitat, I always talk about our store and what a win-win it is,”

More: Habitat Store was a dream for Sandi Risdal, who retired after 15 years as director

Side-by-side construction helps with efficiency

Building three homes on the same street offers cost-efficient construction, Nutini said. An architect and founder of Nutini Architecture, he has many years of experience, while he has been full-time executive director at Habitat for a little more than a year.

Habitat for Humanity's mission has been a great match, he said.

“There’s a need in our community for quality, affordable housing and efficient sources of that," Nutini said. "Also, it’s a source of community engagement — that volunteerism — that brings people together on our projects."

First Interstate Bank was a prime example of community engagement this week. The local branch closed Wednesday afternoon so their employees could help build the homes on Wilmoth Street.

Aside from the seven current lots, Habitat is working with the city to build even more on the other side of the street.

“Being consolidated in one spot is huge for us,” Nutini said.

It’s an efficient use of materials and labor, he said.

“It helps with our volunteer groups, like DMACC, which is a big partner of ours,” Nutini said.

Des Moines Area Community College has stepped up to help during construction, enlisting high school juniors and seniors from its Building Trades Program. An instructor leads the students on-site as they focus on a single home at a time. In this case, the students are building the northernmost home, which is farthest along in the construction process.

“Then they’ll go down the row here," Nutini said. "We’re trying to leverage every partnership we can, every resource we can, to make it worthwhile."

Ronna Faaborg is a reporter for the Ames Tribune. Reach her at rlawless@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Baker Subdivision sees first construction as Habitat begins work on 3 homes