Habitat for Humanity building futures

Highland Rim Habitat for Humanity (HRHFH) is a nonprofit and nondenominational Christian organization that “brings people together and builds homes” in Coffee and Franklin counties. The nonprofit is dedicated to building simple, decent and affordable homes in the area since 1992.

HRHFH is an affiliate for Habitat for Humanity International which has over 2,300 affiliates worldwide. The organization partners with volunteers and low income families to fulfill its purpose.

Terrie Quick has been president of HRHFH for five years

The nonprofit is currently in the process of building in Franklin County.

“We are in the process of building a 1,300 square foot home for a single mom with three children,” Quick said. “We started building on Sept. 20 and as of this week, we will be putting the floors down, making this the fastest construction from foundation up that we have been able to complete.”

Nissan is the nonprofit’s corporate sponsor, providing financial support and also bringing in 12 to 20 volunteers from their Nissan – Decherd facility for the past nine weeks, working under construction manager Mike Hill.

Since Quick has been involved with HRHFH, the current house will be the sixth one that the nonprofit has built, and the 32^nd for Highland Rim Habitat’s affiliate that started building in 1991.

“We have houses scattered all over Tullahoma, Manchester, Winchester and even out toward Tims Ford Lake,” Quick said.

The nonprofit has a strict application process. The first thing required on the application is a definite need for a new home. Applicants must be residents of Coffee or Franklin counties, show proof of consistent income and have a credit score of a certain amount as well as no record of felony charges.

As part of the home building process, partner families themselves invest hundreds of hours of labor – “sweat equity” – into building their homes and the homes of others. Partner families are required to undergo home maintenance and household budget training to ensure ownership success. The houses are sold to these families at no profit and with no interest. All mortgage payments are invested in a revolving fund that is used to build houses for the next pre-qualified families.

“It’s not a free house. We actually sell the house to the recipients,” Quick said. “We are able to sell the house at a very affordable price.”

For fundraising, the nonprofit sets up tables at county fairs and other events to raise money and awareness.

HRHFH’s office hub is at the First United Methodist Church’s Henry Center located at 201 W. Lincoln St. They are open Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information on the application process or to donate, check out their Facebook page “Highland Rim Habitat for Humanity.” If interested in volunteering, contact Quick at 931-273-2201. She prefers text messages instead of phone calls.