The Bobcat Build
The Bobcat Build is a partnership between Ohio University and Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio that brings campus and the Athens community together around a shared goal: helping create a safe, affordable home for a southeast Ohio family.
Throughout the project, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members will have opportunities to volunteer on the build, participate in educational events, and learn more about housing challenges and solutions in Southeast Ohio.
The result will be more than a completed home. It will be an opportunity to build connections across campus and community while shining a light on housing as an important issue for the region.
Why Housing Matters
Affordable housing is foundational to healthy communities.
Access to safe, stable, and affordable housing influences educational success, workforce participation, economic mobility, health and the long-term vitality of communities.
In Athens County, the need is particularly acute. The Housing in Athens County 2024 Report, developed for the Athens County Foundation by Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, documented a significant shortage of affordable housing, particularly for households with the lowest incomes. The report found only 3.5 affordable and available housing units for every 10 extremely low-income households in the county, while rental and home prices have increased substantially since 2018.
Fall Semester
August - September: Stud Decorating Campaign As the first public phase of the project, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors are invited to decorate wall studs that will build the walls of the home. Participants can share messages of encouragement, artwork, or notes of hope for the family.
October 3rd: Campus Wall Build Once the studs are complete, 80 volunteers will come together for a Wall Build service day to construct the walls of the house. The event will engage employees, community members, student organizations, learning communities, and others!
October - November: On-Site Build Commences The on-site build at Parks Hall will begin in October, with volunteer shifts continuing through the fall. A First Nail Ceremony on October 23rd will officially launch construction.
Spring Semester
December: Specialized Construction During Winter Break, licensed professionals will complete electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and other specialized work, preparing the home for volunteers to return in the spring.
January - March: Volunteers Continue Volunteers will return in the spring to help complete the home’s interior, with construction expected to conclude by the end of March.
March - April: Campus & Community Celebrations A celebration of the completed home with an Athens campus-community event before the home is transported to its final site in Ross County, where we'll celebrate Dedication Day with the homeowners, and the OHIO Chillicothe campus and community.
The Blueprints
These architectural drawings, provided by Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio, offer a look at the home that will be constructed during the 2026-27 Bobcat Build.
The 1,092-square-foot, three-bedroom, one-bath home is designed as a modular build, with the house constructed in two sections on Ohio University’s campus. Once construction is complete, the two sections will be carefully separated and transported to the family’s future homesite in Ross County, where they will be reunited to form the completed home. The drawings show the floor system, first-floor layout, and exterior elevations, providing a preview of the home’s design, dimensions, room layout, and exterior features.
Click images below to expand.
Upcoming Events
Bobcat Build: Wall Build Service Day
Saturday, October 3
10:00 AM — 12:30 PM
Parks Hall
Join Ohio University students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members for a hands-on day of building as we construct the wa...