New Habitat Re-Store

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati has just opened its newest ReStore, just outside of Loveland in northeastern Hamilton County. It is the sixth ReStore in the Cincinnati metropolitan area and is located at 10689 Loveland-Madeira Road, just north of the Loveland-Indian Hill exit of Interstate 275. 

As you may know, Habitat's ReStores accepts donations of furniture, plumbing and lighting fixtures, lumber, and other building materials for resale at discounts to the public. The profits from the ReStores are used to help Habitat build more homes for families who hope to become first-time homeowners.

Habitat's website, habitatcincinnati.org, provides information about what items the ReStores will accept for donations. The website also gives a phone number that you can call to request that a truck crew come out to your home and pick up bulky donated items. 

The ReStores are an important source of revenue. According to Joe Hansbauer, president and chief executive officer of Habitat of Greater Cincinnati, the ReStores generated $3.7 million in revenue in 2023. Of that, $550,000 was profit. 

Families must apply and be accepted to Habitat's program to qualify for a home. This process includes providing proof of continuing income, and taking Habitat-led classes to learn about home ownership and financial responsibilities.

Last week, Habitat dedicated its newest home, a two-story dwelling at 709 Mulberry Street in the Hamilton County village of Lockland. It was the latest in a series of houses built in Lockland in recent years by volunteers from the Eastside Coalition of Churches, which includes St. Barnabas.

Each adult in a family buying a Habitat home must put in 250 hours of "sweat equity" on their home, or do other work for Habitat, in order to work off a down payment on a no-interest loan that enables them to buy the house. Their loan payments, in turn, generate revenue that Habitat can use to build other homes.

Habitat still relies heavily on volunteer labor and donations of money or materials from corporations and foundations to achieve its mission of building affordable homes. Buying or donating at a ReStore also supports that mission.

Thank you for your support of Habitat.