OK, everybody, it’s time to think about all the people we know.

Are there people you know who don’t live in adequate housing?

If so, it’s time to encourage them to apply to become Habitat for Humanity families.

The Freeborn-Mower Habitat for Humanity affiliate has homes for needy people and no one to fill them. There hasn’t been a home built recently because there haven’t been applicants. Those applications that have been received are from people who already live in adequate housing.

We know there are plenty of people in Freeborn County who don’t live in adequate housing.

For a home or apartment to be termed &uot;inadequate,&uot; it may mean the roof is leaky, rent is unaffordable, or something is wrong with the heat or electricity. Applicants have to be unable to go out and get their own mortgage, but there has to be some income, because applicants will be buying the house from Habitat. Applicants also have to be willing to be a partner family with Habitat and provide some sweat equity.

Statistics tell us that 5.6 percent of families in Freeborn County are living below the poverty level.

To alert people of the program, and in an attempt to get applicants, Habitat for Humanity is having an informational meeting on Saturday, Aug. 21, at 10 a.m. at Shady Oaks on South Fourth Avenue. There staff will go over the program, its eligibility requirements and what interested applicants need to do to apply.

For more information, call Renee Thorsen at

the Albert Lea Housing and Redevelopment Authority Office at 377-4375.

Owning a home is the American dream. We all know what a wonderful opportunity Habitat is providing. Urge people you know who may qualify to become a part of it.