300th Habitat Home in Wake County
In August 2006, Habitat Wake and volunteers from White Memorial Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church broke ground alongside a new Habitat homeowner for the 300th Habitat home. It's located in the Idlewood Village subdivision.
Completed in April and dedicated in May 2007, the home will become the financial security and site of happy times for a local woman who works as a teacher's assistant and is raising a teenager.
For twenty two years volunteers, sponsors and other supporters have changed the lives of more than one thousand people in our community (two-thirds of whom are children) by building 300 homes. Through the Habitat housing ministry, a legacy of self-reliance is created that will be passed down for generations starting with the children who grow up in houses of their own.
Sponsor Partnership
When Habitat Wake was founded in 1985, the affiliate's first office was located at White Memorial Presbyterian Church. Through the years, White Memorial has partnered on countless homes and has provided thousands of hours of hard work. White Memorial is the leading church in financial contributions to Habitat Wake – giving to this housing ministry more than double that of any other congregation. In the past three years alone, White Memorial has sponsored six houses.
First Presbyterian Church began a partnership with Habitat Wake in 1991 and has as well made a significant impact on homeowner families in Wake County. This is their fifth house in partnership with White Memorial; the first co-sponsored home was on Darby Street in 1999.
Home Dedication
Greeting family, friends and Habitat supporters at the home dedication, Johnnie Sue said: “I never thought that my two hands would be able to build a wall. I’m used to carrying babies, but I learned how to put up siding. It’s been a wonderful experience starting a new life for my family in a home of our own."
A Hand Up
Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat Wake builds safe, decent houses in partnership with families and individuals who don’t quality for traditional mortgages.
Habitat does not give away homes. Evans went through a homeownership program that included homeownership classes and working at least 250 “sweat equity” hours building her home and her neighbors’ homes. Evans saved up the required $1,250 down payment. Now, she’ll start paying approximately $500 per month on a 20-year, zero interest mortgage. Her mortgage payments will become seed money to help Habitat build more homes.
Frank Westmeyer, vice-president of the board of directors, remarked: “Habitat for Humanity is about putting faith into action. Working hand-in-hand with Johnnie Sue, so many generous people have shown that it takes passion and compassion to build a Habitat home.”
