By ALLEN MINCEY

Building materials have been either in short supply or available at higher costs as the COVID-19 pandemic struck the United States. Habitat for Humanity organizations across the country have not been immune from those challenges.

That includes Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland, which Executive Director Tammy Johnson said presented barriers that the local organization has worked through.

“We have continued building homes and creating a stronger community despite unforeseen challenges,” she said.

Johnson mentioned these challenges at this week’s dedication of two homes for residents in the Victory Cove subdivision.

“We have seen a 30-to-40 percent increase in construction material costs, but God has provided,” Johnson said. “There continue to be subcontractor delays, but God daily shows us grace. His guidance is evident in the way folks donate and shop at the ReStore, knowing those funds help with land and infrastructure costs is a way our community helps offer more Bradley County families a hand up, and not a handout.”

In many cases across the country, there have been even more challenges than just higher costs and delays. Some Habitat for Humanity affiliates have also seen decreases in volunteers as the pandemic kept many from giving their time for fear of the virus. Some affiliates also limited the number of volunteers due to the pandemic.

“Our team of staff, volunteers, sponsors, board members and homeowners have weathered the storms of the past year,” Johnson said.

She praised those who have continued to work with Habitat through the pandemic, stating that “you have invested in each other. You have served our community by swinging a hammer, offering valuable time and financial gifts while displaying hope and courage.”

Yet, the pandemic even caused a delay in the two new homeowners — William and Rebekah Ashe, and Merilee Fyffe — actually getting to move into their new home after the Tuesday dedication.

“Getting things shipped has been a challenge,” Johnson said. “You don't know how long it's going to take. The cabinets for these families … usually it would take two or three weeks, but last year we're talking five, and we were told seven to eight this year, and now it's gone beyond that.

“And there are literally things sitting in ports that we need, and you can't do the final work on a home, do the final inspection and let the homeowner move in without them,” she added. “This causes some challenges for them because of their renting, they're ready to get into their home, and we have it all ready to go except for these final few things and they can't move in.”

Johnson said that a final inspection must be performed before occupancy, and that cannot occur until the home is complete.

“I will say that these families have handled it like a champ,” she smiled. “Our homeowners knew that we have a lot of unforeseen challenges this year and they've been gracious, they've been very flexible and wonderful to work with.”

One thing that the pandemic did not affect drastically in Cleveland is the ReStore. Manager Dave Williams said that this year, especially the past few months, has been especially profitable for the store.

“The community has been great at donating,” said Williams. “Of course, when we were closed a year ago, in April for the month, then reopened in May, we didn't know what we were getting into.

“So we didn't know what the future held — we just kind of were going blindly a little bit — but from that May until today, it has been non-stop. We were getting donations from the community like crazy in May, June, July, August …”

He said that even through the pandemic, the ReStore saw many of its regular customers still shopping, and donating, in 2020 and into 2021.

“I got some customers been four or five times a week just because of what's coming in next,” he said.

Williams said that he feels the ReStore promotes a “cycle of blessings.”

“People in our community blessed us with something big or small. We sell that at a reasonable price, which is a blessing and then in return we take the funds and the profits from that to build these homes,” he said.

Even with higher construction costs, and with an increase in sales at the ReStore, Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland still will be completing two more homes in Victory Cove this year, and plans are for five new residences to be built in 2022.