PAT LAVINS

Andy Bowler followed a zig-zagged path to Vero Beach.  Born in England and graduating from London University with a degree in geology, Andy had a successful 30-year career in the coal industry where he traveled all around the world.  Settling in the United States in 1982 with a wife and two daughters, the zig-zagged pattern of Andy’s career continued and the family lived in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Having survived the various fluctuations in the energy industry, he and his wife decided to take a completely different path and in August 2000 they settled in Indian River County.  Having been all over the globe, the natural question is why Vero Beach. Andy had no hesitation in his answer, “It was the people that were the key allure of moving to Florida.”  He stated that his wife of 43 years has also found her calling with the move to Indian River County because she now leads a bible study group at a local non-denominational church.  These are people who are that rare commodity who moved into our area not knowing another soul.

Another part of the allure to moving to Vero Beach is the very ecumenical mission of Habitat for Humanity itself.  Having been founded in Indian River County in 1991, both the need and the generosity of the community have led the local affiliate to win six awards from the parent organization.

Andy is a man who thrives on challenges so he easily saw the dichotomy of the very affluent, many of whom live on the barrier island, and the middle class and working poor who predominantly live on the mainland.  Andy is particularly proud of the fact that the organization has been able “to bring people together to build homes, communities and hope.”  He modestly attributes much of the success to the diversity and dedication of the Board of Directors who represent the insurance, banking, real estate, and construction industries as well as the legal profession in Indian River County.

The total families served in a 22 year period has been extensive:

New homes                   394

Rehab homes                 18

Recycled homes            22

Repaired homes           55

Title homes                  679

Total                             1078

The projected number of families to be served in 2013 is 93 and 101 in  2014.  A major emphasis for 2014 is going to be in a new direction.  The local economy provides an opportunity and demand to refurbish existing homes in the community.  Working with Bob Keating of the Economic Development Council, seed money for the project is coming from $1.3 million grant from the U. S. Housing and Urban Development agency to allow the purchase of foreclosed homes in the enterprise zone that encompasses the Highlands and the Oslo Road area.

The currently available funding will allow for 14 homes to be refurbished and possibly acquiring more homes through the foreclosure process.  Efforts are now underway in the form of a house-by-house survey of homes in the Gifford area.  Partnering with various church and civic organizations, the goal is to repair aging homes so that they can remain as sustainable housing long-term.  Indian River Habitat issued a press release in mid-July requesting the local community to self-identify or make suggestions for more homes.  As identified in that press release “Potential homebuyers can acquire a rehabbed home with no down payment, a no-interest mortgage  and requiring fewer Sweat Equity Houses than a new construction home.”

The rehab project will also allow homeowners to acquire solar heating and energy efficient products so that they can reduce their monthly utility payments and have more funds to put food on the table for their families.

Foreclosure has not been a significant problem in the local affiliate and Andy Bowler is quick to share the credit for this success with the dedication of the homeowners themselves.  In the 22 year history in Indian River County there have only been 7 foreclosures and 23 deeds returned in lieu of foreclosure.

A small portion of the operating costs for the local organization comes from the sale of merchandise at the resale store conveniently located on U. S. 1.  Arrangements can also be made by calling the store at 257-0222 to have a van pick up any items to be donated.  The store recently celebrated its 8^th anniversary.

The 2014 goals reflect the changing demographics:  In 2002, there were 10,504 individuals living below the poverty line and 622 living in substandard homes.  Last year, there were nearly double the number of people living below the poverty line, at 20,152, with 850 living in substandard housing.

There will also be a shift in the affiliate’s priorities with more of an emphasis on “serving the whole family rather than simply building new homes.”

With a gentle smile like that of a proud parent, Andy talks about another prominent feature of Habitat for Humanity which much of the public is not aware of and that is in its emphasis on education.  Andy enthusiastically speaks about the fact that “those who have hit rough patches in life” need not abandon their dreams for the children to live a better life.  Thus,

children of those who live in Habitat are able to take advantage of a wide diversity of education programs includine: post secondary education, after school care, summer care, and Prep club, a program for sixth grade children can tour colleges and attend life skills training classes

Additionally scholarship opportunities are also made available to homeowners who want to prepare themselves for better paying jobs. Andy said that it is critical to the mission of the organization to “make a difference in people’s lives that will hopefully last a generation.”  Homeowners also receive one-on-one counseling on money management. It is this component of the mission that has “kept the default rate significantly below the national average” Andy proudly boasted.

Andy breaks into a broad smile when he discusses the Habitat staff itself.  Any organization has its own business needs and in Indian River County they are met by a small cadre of paid staff.  He proudly boosts that there is “very little turnover” in staff because of the successful efforts made to create a satisfying workplace.

In addition to grants and donations from the community, Habitat has three major fundraisers annually:

1) The Hoe Down event held every March in a large venue is the major source for both funds and fun.

2) Bowl to Build is an approach to appeal to the younger population and the revenue from this initiative supports the education programs.

3) Habitat Race is an annual fundraiser that allows whole families to support their friends and neighbors.  Funds raised from this event supports the after school and mentoring program.  These funds are critical to help meet the needs of young, working families.

Habitat is rightfully proud of its low crime rate in its communities because of having made investments in getting young people so involved that crime is not an enticement.  The central focus of any habitat home is to be a component in neighbor stabilization and that goal has been achieved in Indian River County.

Last but certainly not least, Andy Bowler being the affable man that he is has been able to form strong partnerships with many local businesses that support the goals of the organization. The success of the program “at its heart rests with the volunteers” Andy said in his office in the Brad Burnham

Facility.  The building is named after the recently deceased Moorings resident who led the Moorings community to be a key player in building 53 homes.  No other community in Indian River County has been able to reach that gold standard.