Ohio University and Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio partner to build home for southeast Ohio family

Ohio University and Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio are joining forces on an ambitious community build project that will bring Bobcats and community members together to construct a new Habitat home for a family in southeast Ohio. 

The project, known as the Bobcat Build, is being led by a small project committee convened by Ohio University’s Center for Community Impact and Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, building on their longstanding partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio. The committee is coordinating the project across the University and with Habitat, bringing together partners from across campus and the community to make the build possible. 

The Bobcat Build will turn the former patient drop-off circle outside Parks Hall on West Green into a homebuilding site, where volunteers will construct an entire house beginning in late October and continuing through spring semester. Once construction is complete, the finished home will be moved from campus to its permanent location in Chillicothe, where it will become a home for a local family. 

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the communities OHIO calls home while contributing to one of the region’s most pressing challenges: access to safe, affordable housing. 

“At Ohio University, we believe our greatest impact comes through partnership,” said Ohio University President Lori Stewart Gonzalez. “The Bobcat Build is a powerful example of the Engage pillar of our Dynamic Strategy in action, bringing together the talents, expertise and commitment of our University and community partners to address one of our region's most pressing needs. As a Carnegie Community Engaged Campus, we are proud to help create opportunities that strengthen communities, expand access to safe and affordable housing and demonstrate what is possible when we work together toward a shared purpose.” 

For Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio, the project creates a new avenue for the broader OHIO community to participate in its work to expand access to affordable homeownership and strengthen communities across southeast Ohio. 

“We are excited to partner with Ohio University to build more homes, raise awareness about housing issues and create stronger communities throughout southeast and southern Ohio,” said Ken Oehlers, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio. 

Safe, affordable housing is foundational to the health and stability of families and communities. It also plays an important role in economic opportunity, workforce development and the long-term vitality of the region. 

In Athens County, the challenge is particularly acute. The Housing in Athens County 2024 Report, developed for the Athens County Foundation by the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, documented a significant shortage of affordable housing, particularly for households with the lowest incomes. The report found only 3.5 affordable and available housing units for every 10 extremely low-income households in the county, while rental and home prices have increased substantially since 2018. 

As a result, housing emerged as a central focus of the Athens County Foundation’s Co-Create initiative, which brings community members, organizations and institutions together to identify shared priorities and develop solutions collaboratively. The work reflects a growing recognition that addressing complex community challenges like housing requires people and organizations to work across sectors, bringing different perspectives, resources and expertise to the table. 

The Bobcat Build is one example of what that kind of partnership can make possible. By bringing Ohio University’s people and resources together with Habitat’s housing expertise and community relationships, the project turns a shared priority into a tangible contribution for a southeast Ohio family. 

While the completed home will provide a safe, affordable place for a local family to call home, the project is also designed to bring people together around the issue of housing and create meaningful opportunities for engagement and learning. 

“Our intention is to build the ‘why’ into this endeavor throughout the year,” said Courtney Lefebvre, interim executive director of the Center for Community Impact. “Beyond building a home—it’s an opportunity to help students and community members better understand housing challenges in southeast Ohio and explore solutions together. We hope to work with campus and community partners to weave that conversation into educational events and experiences throughout the year.” 

The Bobcat Build will depend on the participation and generosity of the broader OHIO and southeast Ohio communities.  

Members of the Ohio University and Southeast Ohio community are welcome to celebrate the on-site construction Kick-Off event on Friday, October 23rd, and join the volunteer shift to raise the first walls of the home together. Volunteers can also participate earlier in October in a campus-wide Wall Build service project on Saturday, October 3rd.  

Volunteers will be needed throughout the construction process, running October through November, with opportunities for students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members to work alongside Habitat and other volunteers. No previous construction experience is required for many volunteer roles; Habitat construction professionals will provide guidance and instruction. Opportunities for both individuals and groups will be available. 

Sponsors and donors can help provide the materials, tools and resources needed to complete the home. Businesses, organizations and individuals interested in supporting the project can contribute through sponsorships or financial and in-kind donations. 

Community members can also be part of the project by sharing information, encouraging others to participate and following the home’s progress as it takes shape on campus. 

Information about volunteer opportunities, sponsorships, upcoming build days and other ways to participate will be available through Ohio University’s Center for Community Impact and Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio. 

Visit the website to learn more & get involved > The Bobcat Build 

The Bobcat Build will culminate when the completed home leaves the Ohio University campus and makes its way to its permanent location in Chillicothe—a visible reminder of what can happen when a university and its community partners bring their people, resources and expertise together around a shared priority. 

Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio serves eight counties—Athens, Fairfield, Hocking, Perry, Meigs, Morgan, Noble, Muskingum and now Ross and Pickaway. The organization is an independently chartered affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, the world’s largest nonprofit homebuilder. Through homebuilding, home repair, volunteer engagement and community partnerships, Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio works to expand access to safe, affordable housing and strengthen communities across the region. 

Interested in learning more? Those interested in additional details or partnering on educational programming throughout the year can reach out to Courtney in the Center for Community Impact at lefebvrec@ohio.edu.