By By Lisa Tindell
news editor
Two Atmore families have been chosen to take part in building their dream homes, but one obstacle stands in the way — land, or the lack of it.
Escambia County Habitat for Humanity Director Alecia Glaize said the organization does not have the resources to purchase land and is hoping someone will donate property for the building projects.
Families chosen for Habitat homes take an active part in the building process, donating “sweat equity” hours to other projects as well as their own and accepting responsibility for a no-interest loan for the home.
The Habitat chapter expanded last year from Brewton to the entire county.
Glaize said the extension of the groups’ efforts to the Atmore area has been positive and the result has two families on the list to become Habitat home recipients.
Glaize said suitable lots to build the Habitat homes on in Atmore still have not been found. “We’ve had some people who want to sell us lots, but we just are not financially able to make those purchases,” she said. “We really need to have the lots donated.”
Donations of time, money and materials are key to making the county-wide Habitat chapter successful, Glaize said.
Glaize said the land acquisition is the main obstacle at this point with manpower already arranged for the potential build.
Glaize said any donations, whether property, building materials or cash, are tax deductible.
Escambia County Habitat for Humanity began work countywide last year after meeting with community leaders and interested residents in the Atmore area.
In the selection process, applications are submitted to the Family Selection Committee who approves building projects based on three major requirements.
Requirements state the applicant family must have been living in sub-standard or temporary housing in Escambia County for at least the past year and have a stable, verifiable income and be willing to accept responsibility to repay a 20-year no-interest loan. Families must also be willing to partner with Habitat for Humanity by contributing 400 or more volunteer hours in building their home and the homes of others.
The two Atmore families — and anyone else interested — will have a chance to share their skills next month, when Habitat builds its 16th house in Brewton.
The Fall Build 2009 kicks off in Brewton Friday, Oct. 16, at 8 a.m., and work will continue through that weekend and every Saturday and Sunday until Nov. 8.
Applications for families to be considered for a future project can be obtained either on-line at www.escambiahfh.org or at their offices on Belleville Avenue in downtown Brewton.
To volunteer or donate, call the Habitat office at 251-867-0095.