Habitat family chosen, groundbreaking set

A single mother with five children will be formally selected this week to receive a custom-built house in Arcadia, the first Habitat for Humanity project in Trempealeau County.

Groundbreaking for the home, to be built at 1109 E. Wilson Ave., will be May 12 at 4 p.m. Volunteers to help build the home, including volunteer teams, may sign up at the Habitat for Humanity web site, https://www.habitatlacrosse.org/1109-e-wilson-ave-arcadia.html, or by calling 608-785-2373, extension 103.

“We had six applicants for the home,” said Kahya Fox, executive director of the LaCrosse habitat chapter, “and three applicants who could have qualified. That tells us there is a need for this type of housing in Arcadia.”

The family selected for the home will be named after their selection is formally made by the habitat board, Fox said. An architect has already begun work on designing the home for the six-person family, Fox said. The home’s theme is The American Dream.

Fox said habitat volunteers have created a variety of teams from work, church and civic organizations to work days for couples, singles and even a ‘90s throwback group. The volunteer construction work, which will be overseen by habitat staff, will begin as soon as the foundation has been completed for the home. Donations and in-kind contributions will total between $150,000 and $170,000 to complete the home.