Pike County Habitat for Humanity cookie sales were down slightly this year, but the annual Giant Cookie sale Saturday was still a great success.

The sale put $1,740 in the coffer for Habitat house number 13.

“The cookie sale at St. Martin on Saturday was an opportunity to meet new people and visit with old friends,” said Fred Johnson, Pike County Habitat for Humanity director. “By all accounts, the sale was a success because of the money we raised and the level of participation. If we had that same level of participation for everything that we do, there is no limit to what we could do.”

Pike County Habitat for Humanity house number 12 is under construction on Martin Luther King Drive in Troy and already plans are being made for house number 13.

Johnson said the average cost of a Habitat house is $60,000 and that is a great savings to the homeowner.

“Habitat for Humanity houses are not free,” he said. “The family has to pay for them but the real savings come from not having interest charges. Every dime that is paid on a Habitat house goes against the principle.”

Johnson said Habitat for Humanity raises the money to pay for a house before it is built.

“Habitat raises the money and builds the house and the homeowner pays the money back,” he said. “We are the bank. That money is then used to help finance another Habitat house.”

Eligibility requirements for a Pike County Habitat for Humanity house applicant include a real need for affordable housing, six month’s residency in the county and a regular income.

“An applicant must have the ability to pay back the loan,” Johnson said. “A Habitat house is not free. An applicant cannot have been convicted of a felony charge in the last three years or filed for bankruptcy unless it was for medical reasons. And, the applicant must be willing to put 400 hours of sweat equity into the building of a Habitat house.”

Johnson expressed appreciation to all of those who have dedicated time and talent to Pike County Habitat for Humanity during 2011 and in past years.

“Without our volunteers, we wouldn’t have been able to build houses for those in need,” he said. “I want to thank everyone who has been a part of Pike County Habitat for Humanity and to the Troy University Camps Chapter that provides about 75 percent of our workforce on our Blitz Builds. I just thank them all.”

Donations to Habitat for Humanity are always appreciated. For more information about Habitat for Humanity and how to be involved during the New Year, call Johnson at 372-7578.