Post Falls man honored by Habitat for Humanity

“One House at a Time” should be Ralph Meyer’s motto.

On April 2, Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho will dedicate the completion of its 19th home, and Ralph Meyer, chairman of Habitat’s Family Selection Committee, has been instrumental in reaching that goal.

Meyer has volunteered more than 1,000 hours and was recently named Habitat’s Behind the Scenes Volunteer of the Year at the organization’s annual volunteer celebration banquet.

Habitat for Humanity is a worldwide, “nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world.” Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build and rehabilitate houses together in partnership with families in need.

A retired U.S. Forest Service district ranger, Meyer had time on his hands, liked carpentry work, and wanted to give back to the community. Habitat seemed like a good cause.

“A family’s application process starts with Ralph Meyer,” says Jim Erlanger, president of Habitat’s board of directors.

Meyer’s Selection Committee interviews applicants and chooses future homeowners based on their level of need, their willingness to become partners, and their ability to repay the no-interest, zero-down mortgage.

The committee receives 80 to 90 applications a year, according to Meyer.

“I could not do Ralph’s job,” says Erlanger. “The decisions that he and his committee make are life-altering. Two things happen when their house closes – their rent goes down and their lifestyle goes up.”

Habitat is not a giveaway program.

“We require homeowners to invest hundreds of hours of sweat equity,” Meyer says. “They are required to perform a minimum of 300 hours on a Habitat house, and 200 hours on their own home.”

Meyer says it is getting harder and harder to find land at an affordable price. He is pleased that Habitat will be constructing 12 homes at Millard Place, a subdivision in Post Falls, over the next several years. Groundbreaking for the first four homes will happen within the next 30 days.

Peggy Capes met Ralph Meyer in the fall of 2002 when he interviewed her as a prospective Habitat homeowner. Capes, who moved into a Habitat house last year, now serves on the Family Selection Committee with him.

“Ralph really cares about people and about helping qualified people become Habitat homeowners,” Capes says. “I’ve seen him be very upset when a couple he hoped would be able to qualify wasn’t able to meet Habitat requirements.”

Many of the homeowners volunteer to work on other homes long after they move into their own home.

“They work on other homes as a payback and it is quite normal to see them take on other duties as well to help the Habitat organization,” Meyer says.

A big source of new income has come from Habitat’s Discount Building Supply store, at 6108 E. Seltice Way in Post Falls. The store sells about everything a homeowner would need, including lumber, roofing supplies, cabinets, flooring, appliances and lighting fixtures.

“We grossed $113,000 last year,” Erlanger says. “Since most of the stuff was destined for the landfill, we are able to recycle and resell, and use the proceeds to build more homes.”

“It’s amazing the number of people living in really difficult situations,” Meyer says. “Those are the people we are trying to help.”

“Ralph never toots his own horn and pretty much stays behind the scenes,” Capes says. “He’s a great guy – as are so many people who volunteer for Habitat.”

Meyer is also an active volunteer on the Post Falls Urban Forestry Commission and at Post Falls Cavalry Lutheran Church.