Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio and Ohio University have launched the on-site construction phase of the Bobcat Build, a partnership that will put a new affordable home in the hands of a Southeast Ohio family — built, in large part, by students on the Athens campus.
The project is a 1,092-square-foot, three-bedroom modular home that will be constructed in two sections on Ohio University’s Athens campus. Volunteers broke ground on the build phase Friday with a “first nail” ceremony attended by Ohio University President Lori Stewart-Gonzalez and Chillicothe Mayor Luke Feeney, an Ohio University alumnus who helped facilitate the partnership.
“Housing is an issue that impacts everyone in this community,” said Courtney Lefebvre, interim executive director of the university’s Center for Community Impact. “This project is a real opportunity for us to help address it.” Habitat Executive Director Ken Oehlers said the partnership grew out of personal connections and earlier collaborations with the university’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, with support from the Athens County Foundation and Project Co-Create.
Volunteers will build three days a week until around Thanksgiving, with professionals handling specialized work such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning and electrical systems over winter break. Construction resumes in the spring 2027 semester, and the finished home will then be transported to its permanent site in Ross County for completion.
Students are at the center of the effort. Members of Ohio University’s Habitat for Humanity student chapter are among the local builders, and chapter president Aoife McLaughlin said the work gave her a greater understanding of the housing crisis. “We’re all Bobcats, and we are coming together to build a home for people in need of safe, affordable shelter,” she said.
After Friday’s ceremony, Habitat held an open volunteer shift for students, faculty and community members — the first of many chances for the campus community to pick up a hammer before the house heads to Ross County in the spring.
Photo: Gkuriger, CC BY-SA