ATHENS, Ohio — Ohio University and Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio have launched a joint effort to construct an affordable home for a Ross County family, with full construction scheduled to run from late October through next March.
The project, called the Bobcat Build, pairs the university’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service and its Center for Community Impact with Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio. Framing on the home’s walls began over the weekend, and construction is slated to start Oct. 23 and finish by the end of March 2027. At that point, the completed home will be moved to its permanent site in Ross County.
During the initial wall-building, students and volunteers signed the beams and added artwork that will remain part of the finished home, organizers said.
Courtney Lefebvre, interim executive director of the Center for Community Impact, said the project begins with a single house but is meant to grow into an annual effort.
“One is the goal this year, but our hope is that this becomes an annual project,” Lefebvre said.
Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio is a key partner in the effort, Lefebvre said. Once the home is relocated to Ross County, Habitat and Ohio University’s Chillicothe campus will work together to finish it.
The build comes amid ongoing housing pressure in the region. A 2024 housing report by the Athens County Foundation and the Voinovich School found that for every 10 extremely low-income households in Athens County, only 3.5 affordable housing units are available.
Sophia Coyner, president of Ohio University’s Habitat for Humanity chapter, said projects like the Bobcat Build help stabilize neighborhoods while giving students a direct role in their community.
