Advertisement

"We have lost two families," explained Shelly Childers, president of Lapeer County Habitat for Humanity. "One of them found a new job. If life changes, income level may change too and then the family may not fit Habitat requirements." The other family that had planned on accepting the Clifford home, moved out of the area according to Childers.

Since the application and construction process can span several months and even years, often times a families' circumstances change before the home is ready.

In order to locate another qualified family, the Lapeer office is accepting applications and hosting an open house to relay the details of becoming a Habitat Homeowner.

The open house will take place at 6:30 p.m. on April 29 at St. Patrick's Chapel (9851 Main St.) of Clifford. Volunteers will be on hand to explain the application process, the qualifying requirements and provide information on how the homes are built and how the families participate in the construction process.

"Our homeowners commit to 250 hours of sweat-equity which involves work on their own homes, other Habitat homes and participation in Habitat fundraisers," Childers said. "They also participate in budgeting classes. A lot of people think our homeowners don't pay for the homes. But we do write mortgages for them at a zero percent interest rate and they do pay into an escrow for their taxes."

The cost of each Habitat home does vary slightly depending on the cost of the land, but Lapeer County Habitat homes run about $80,000 each, according to Childers.

Funding for the homes comes primarily from three annual events; the Bike Run (coming up on May 17), the duck races (conducted during the Lapeer Days events in August), and a dinner and auction that is held in the fall every year.

"The dinner auction is really beneficial and brought in over $10, 000 for us last year. The duck races have become a favorite too and brought in nearly $6,000 last year," Childers added.

This years' Habitat home will be the fourth for Lapeer County. The first three were built in downtown Lapeer, North Branch and Columbiaville.

Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat for Humanity has built more than 250,000 houses worldwide providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1 million people.

For more information on the Lapeer County chapter of Habitat for Humanity, visit www.lapeerhabitat.org or call (810) 664-7111.