As Habitat for Humanity International begins construction on its 500,001st house, the Scioto County Habitat is in the process of completing its ninth house and planning for a 10th.

“The home we’re working on now is 3747 Grace St. in New Boston,” Habitat for Humanity Co-President Laura Walker said. “That will be our ninth house. And right now we have a contract to purchase some land on the West Side. And we’re looking for more property on the West Side, and we have a family ready to go for the West Side.”

Walker said the West Side project will be named for a member of the board who recently died.

“We’re going to dedicate the 10th project on the West Side to Dr. (Thomas K.) Swope,” Walker said. “Dr. Swope was a member of our board. And he was an active member when he passed a couple of weeks ago. For over 50 years he had that medical office over on the West Side.”

Walker said the Scioto County chapter began with a rehabilitation project on Charles Street in Portsmouth in 1996. She said their first two projects were rehab projects, but since then, they have been new builds.

Walker said the local Habitat committee will have its annual volunteer dinner at 6 p.m. Oct. 18 at the SOMC Friends Center. Walker said dinner will be free, and Rob Johnson of WSAZ TV, active in Habitat for Humanity in Huntington, W.Va., will be the keynote speaker for the event. Anyone wishing to attend may RSVP at 740-353-4993. Applications can also be downloaded at the organization’s website sciotohabitat.org.

FRANK LEWIS may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 232, or flewis@heartlandpublications.com.