Newest Habitat for Humanity house built in Van Wert

VW independent staff/submitted information

Habitat for Humanity of Paulding-Van Wert’s newest home was dedicated during a brief ceremony and open house held on Sunday.

The house in the 900 block of George St. in Van Wert is the new home of Cheyanna Wheeler and her son, Riot, 3.

“I never saw a community come together so much,” Wheeler told the crowd about the creation of her new home. “I never want to be anywhere else but Van Wert. It’s a wonderful community.”

Van Wert County Commissioner Thad Lichtensteiger welcomed Wheeler to Van Wert.

“Congratulations on the dedication of a new home,” he declared. “It looks beautiful.”

Lichtensteiger added that his father used to say “many hands make light work.”

“It conveys what happened here,” he remarked. “Home ownership is a barometer of the community – that investment shows you are part of the community.”

Lichtensteiger also stated that only one percent of homeowners participate in building their home, which puts Wheeler in a unique group. He added that helping build her house means that Wheeler has “put her heart and soul” into her home.

“Congratulations for being part of the community,” he stressed. “We’re delighted to have you own a home in our city and county of Van Wert.”

As part of the home’s dedication, Pastor Michael Baer of First Missionary Church and several church members blessed the dwelling while Pastor Daniel Perry of North Union Church presented the benediction.

Several churches and church groups have helped Habitat with its builds. The goal of Habitat for Humanity is to provide decent housing for qualified families.

“This is not a free home,” Habitat for Humanity of Paulding-Van Wert Executive Director Laurie Lucas said. “The gift from Habitat is a zero percent loan.”

A homeowner’s mortgage is based on the cost of materials. In addition to house payments, each Habitat homeowner must pay for their own utilities, home maintenance, taxes and insurance. Partner families must help with the builds, putting sweat equity hours into their homes.

Cheryl Stauffer, family support for Habitat for Humanity of Paulding-Van Wert, told those in attendance that homeowners put in 250 sweat equity hours homes.

“She was really motivated,” Stauffer said of Wheeler.

Construction manager Christopher Bercaw thanked everyone that helped work on the home.

“We had a lot of businesses and volunteers build this home,” he acknowledged, praising various individuals including head volunteer Brian DeLucenay. “A lot of this community came together to help us build this.”

Many groups of volunteers and donors helped make the home a reality including: Van Wert Knights of Columbus, Convoy Lions Club, Central Insurance, Vantage Career Center, First Missionary Church, Leis Roofing, Van Wert County Fair, David and Janice Lichensteiger, Help Builds Hope, Schlatter’s Heating & Plumbing, Menards, Alexander & Bebout, Bebout & Hous, Cool Machines, Chad Bonnett, Deitemeyer Brothers, Ecotone Paint, the Van Wert School at the Goedde, Danny and Jill McCoy, Lee’s Ace Hardware and Wallace Plumbing.

Also during the dedication, Habitat presented a special plaque to Andy McMahon for his years of service and dedication to Habitat for Humanity. McMahon has been a member of Habitat since 1992. He has helped on numerous builds throughout the years.

Now that the Wheeler home is complete, Habitat is actively looking for other sites and families to partner with in the area.

“It’s always a special occasion when we finish a home because it means we can start a new one,” Lucas said, adding that this build started in September 2025.

To learn more about the Habitat for Humanity of Paulding-Van Wert visit them on Facebook.