(ASSOCIATED PRESS) June 25, 2021 - Reeling from massive cutbacks in volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and grappling with high construction costs, Habitat for Humanity leaders would be the first to admit they’re struggling.
The past year has felt like one punch after the other, they say. First hit: Habitat’s local affiliates had to limit volunteers over virus concerns, forcing them to fork over more money to hire contractors. Second hit: Revenue was dented by temporary closures of ReStores, the reuse stores operated by local Habitat organizations. The third: Construction delays caused by pandemic-induced kinks in the supply chain, which make affiliates wait longer for supplies.
“As the cost to build increases, we’re seeing a lot of affiliates absorbing that financial burden themselves,” said Nancy Lee, the executive director of Habitat for Humanity South Carolina, which supports 29 local affiliates in the state. “That is not a sustainable approach.”