A parcel of land southwest of Waverly will become the biggest project yet for Heartland Habitat for Humanity. Director Linda Morgan says after fixing up homes in Waterloo one or two at a time, the chapter was the only bidder to take over an abandoned naval air base station.She says they knew the homes were there “and just sort of rotting away” when the government decided in August 2003 to ask for anyone who wanted to rehab them — the habitat was the only organization that did. Local government and a Waverly bank helped the group take over the base with its 23 old houses that were once military housing when the base was open in the 1960s. The houses were once officers’ and enlisted men’s quarters, and Morgan says they’re still sturdy buildings, not disintegrating with age. She says contractors who’ve examined them for the group have told her the houses really should be renovated. Volunteers will do much of the work but it’ll take professionals as well.She says they hope to work on four houses at a time and move in families once the homes are complete. They’ll have to revamp septic and water systems, even roads through the project — so she says they’re renovating a whole subdivision. Organizers already have a list, from individuals to businesses and local government agencies, that’ll help in different wayssuch as appraisals, surveying, sewer and water, plumbing and electric, roofing, backhoes to clear the property — what she calls a “wonderful response.” Morgan says it’ll provide affordable housing that Black Hawk and Bremer counties need badly and people are very excited about the Habitat project. By August they hope to have a “model home” rehabbed so people can see how the rest of the project will go.
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