Feb. 24, 2026
By ANASTASIA PENCHI
STODDARD, Wis. – The local Habitat for Humanity chapter held its first home dedication of 2026, and more than 50 people came to see the Stoddard house that the organization has been rehabilitating with the family.
The Phia Lor and Mai Chang family put in the required sweat equity in order to qualify to buy the home under Habitat’s guidelines, which requires a minimum of 150 hours of work.
Previously, the white-sided house at 651 Division St., needed a full gut job. More than a year later, new deep blue siding has been hung on the exterior and fresh finishes cover the walls and floors inside. Friends and family put in time, and so did others.
“This is my drywall – I did this wall,” said Habitat’s Executive Director Kahya Fox, as she pointed to one of the walls in a room just located off the kitchen.
“I remember touring (the house) thinking, ‘This is going to be a lot of work.’ ”
And she wasn’t the only one to think that.
Vern Strayer, a Stoddard resident and Stoddard Area Food Pantry volunteer, said he was happy Habitat was able to help rehabilitate the house because it needed a lot of work, and now it can offer a home for Phia and Mai Lor and their seven children.
Strayer said he knew the previous owner, and said it was a “wonderful gesture” for the organization to get the house rehabilitated and sold to a low-income family. He brought two bags of groceries for the family on behalf of the food pantry, as well as information on pantry hours. He said he wanted the family to see that Stoddard is a “very welcoming community.”
When Phia and Mai applied at Habitat, they told officials they wanted more space and a yard for their seven children. They also wanted a garage. The family received the keys to the house – complete with garage – on Feb. 19, and celebrated with a dinner afterards.
Phia told the gathered crowd that his family is “so grateful and happy.” H said he wanted to give “a big thank you” to everyone involved.
Habitat for Humanity of the Greater La Crosse Region helps eligible homeowners purchase a house for its appraised value with a 0 percent interest loan. Habitat works with buyers to ensure monthly payments – including mortgage, insurance and taxes – do not exceed 30 percent of their household income.
And Habitat is not done in Vernon County – it is also working to complete 10 homes in Hillsboro.
“We are not stepping back from the housing crisis” Fox said. “We are spreading out – everybody needs housing.”
Anastasia Penchi is veteran writer who spent 13 years as a newspaper journalist and now works as a freelance writer. You may have seen her work in Coulee Region Women’s magazine, the Great Rivers Road blog and Explore La Crosse. Her passions are helping people in poverty and trying to save traditional journalism. She resides in Genoa and is a board member with Couleecap Inc. She can be reached at callmeloislane@hotmail.com.
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