BLOOMINGTON - For a nonprofit such as Habitat for Humanity, a troubled economy means bracing for a spike in need.

"Our biggest concern would be if we see a significant drop in donations," said Bill McConnell, the McLean County affiliate's executive director.

His group builds six to eight homes annually - 116 since 1985 - but organizers hope to double annual production. "We know there is a need out there," he said.

In August, 80 people attended a meeting for interested families, and about 10 fit guidelines. The next meeting is three months away, but already the attendee list has surpassed 80. Habitat uses grant money and donations to provide houses at cost, with zero-interest loans. This year, a three-bedroom Habitat home would carry about a $450 monthly mortgage.

A Habitat home that used to cost $48,000 to build now takes about $60,000, said McConnell. Donations keep mortgages affordable, despite rising construction costs. Habitat International has built 300,000 homes in the last 32 years.

In Central Illinois, there is an abundance of volunteers, but not enough money to create work sites for them, he said.

On Thursday, the local affiliate launched Building Houses, Building Hope. With that, Habitat of McLean County aims to encourage multi-year donors and create a culture of long-term support.

Habitat also plans to expand ReStore, which offers discounted used appliances and building materials. A new site is set to open in March at 1402 W. Washington St., with expanded hours. The group also is looking to WomenBuild and the Illinois State University/Illinois Wesleyan University chapters to broaden fund-raising.

The collegiate group is charging ahead with the anticipated increased need, said adviser Tom Gershick, and its success has garnered national honors and grants. Last year, students raised $30,000 to build a house. The group has a $65,000 goal this year, he said.

Gershick has faith Central Illinois residents will come through with the needed money. "There's a very strong altruistic component to human beings," that doesn't get enough attention, he said.

The college students are building their 14th house for Habitat in as many years, and intend to increase production to two houses per year, he said. "We have enough volunteers that we could build three houses a year," but like the parent group, money is key.

More than 500 students took part in the Oct. 31 Trick or Treat for Change fund-raiser and brought in $13,000.

Last weekend, he joined ISU students at a national Habitat youth conference in St. Louis, funded by Bloomington-based State Farm Insurance Cos. The economic outlook may be frightful, but Habitat and the communities it serves can't be daunted, said the professor.

"We'll work smarter, and harder, and form more partnerships," said Gershick.

Contact Habitat for Humanity of McLean County at (309) 827-7780 or www.habitatmclean.org