By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
WARSAW — Last year, with the help of Kosciusko County Community Foundation, the local Habitat for the Habitat for Humanity chapter received a grant of nearly $1 million from Lilly Endowment.
That money has allowed the chapter to do several things, including the establishment of a home repair program.
“We wanted something that low-income homeowners could look to and say, how can I get this roof or maybe this furnace replaced?” said Habitat’s executive director, Ben Logan.
“This is a program they can come to and kind of get that Habitat model to help them out,” Logan said.
Logan talked with News Now Warsaw for In the Know, the public affairs show you can hear this weekend on Kensington Digital Media radio stations.
In the first round, Habitat was able to assist three families to replace aging roofs or HVAC systems, but Logan said they’d like to increase the number of participants.
Logan said they’d like to help as many as five to ten families a year with the program.
The work is done through contractors and includes warranties, Logan said.
“So I really encourage people, if you know someone who owns their home, – maybe that roof or that HVAC system is really starting to show some wear and tear, have them reach out to us,” Logn said. “We’d love to talk to them about this.”
Applications are not yet being accepted, but Logan said they’re trying to generate interest ahead of time.
To learn more, contact the local Habitat chapter.
Logan also talked about a new housing coalition and some of the goals they’re trying to achieve.
The chapter has now begun building about three houses a year o ver the past three years.
Current projects are in Mentone, Warsaw and Milford.
Earlier this week, 85 women gathered in the parking lot of Warsaw Community Church to kickoff this year’s Women Build with Habitat for Humanity. This marks the 2nd year in a row that the Women Build aims to build and fund an entire home in Warsaw.
“Last year, this event was so successful and meaningful, we knew we had to bring it back this year” said Stacy Price, Habitat board member in a news release. “Just like in 2025, women from across this community are coming together, volunteering on site and raising money, so that a local family can become homeowners for the first time. It’s really an amazing sight!
In 2026, the Women Build consists of 20 all-women teams, with over 200 participants in total. Each team volunteers on the build site while also raising the funds needed to complete the home. This year’s goal is $180,000, and more than $52,000 has already been raised.
To see the progress and make a donation, visit https://secure.qgiv.com/event/womenbuild26/
“We are so grateful for how the women of this community have really taken ownership of this event” said Ben Logan, Habitat’s director. “It really is only possible because of all these volunteers and donors. Thank you for giving this family a hand up with their housing!”
To learn how to get involved with Habitat’s Women Build, visit their website or call the office at (574) 269-4104.
