Dream
of Home Coming True A member of the committee, Alberto Caballero, said, "The Paredeses were the most qualified family, in terms of their need, and their ability to pay. Another committee member, Kristi Strubhart, said, "Applicants have to demonstrate three things: a need, an ability to pay and a willingness to partner with Habitiat for Humanity by volunteering time to help with their home." Paredes had input in the floor plans for her new home, which will be located on Sunset Circle. Under the agreement, the Paredes will pay $180 a month for the next 20 years for their brand new, three bedroom home, which will include wheelchair ramps, larger doorways to fit Alan's wheel chair, bars on the walls and a large shower to accomodate Alan. Caballero said to qualify, a family must make at least 25 percent of the median income for Lea County, but no more than 50 percent. Right now, a family of four could make about $18,000 a year and still qualify. To afford the house, he said a family could make no less than $1,000 a month, but not much more than $1,500 to qualify. Paredes could not qualify to buy a home with her income. She has been renting her current home on East Palace for several years. But through Habitat for Humanity, their new house will be interest free and only cost about $38,000, because labor and much of the building supplies will be donated. Under Habitat for Humanity guidelines, Paredes and her children are expected to perform "sweat hours," more commonly known as sweat equity. They help with the house by painting, doing some of the construction or doing other service jobs such as cooking or taking food to volunteers. Additional volunteers from the community are also needed to help build the home. Strubhart said Habitat for Humanity is especially needing licensed contractors willing to discount or donate their services and other people, besides family and friends, such as church groups, community orgainzations or individuals, willing to donate their Saturdays to help build the house. Construction is expected to begin before the end of the year, and Strubhart estimates it will take about 13 weeks to build the home by working on it from sunup to sundown. Caballero said Habitat for Humainty will begin taking applications for the next house as soon as they start work on the Paredes home, and they have already begun looking for lots. He said habitat for Humanity will accept lots within the city limits that someone may want to donate. The homes will cost the same for each family, regardless of the amount of donations they receive. but Caballero said the more donations they get, the more homes they will be able to build. Once the Paredes home is built, it doesn't stop there. Strubhart said Habitat for Humanity will continue having an active role in their lives by giving them information on mortgages, home repair and upkeep, as well as other information to ensure their home ownership is a success. Ylsin explained the difficulties she and her mom experience at their current home, which was not built with a handicapped person in mind. "We have no handicap ramps, so we have to bump Alan up the sidewalk in his wheelchair, and we can't fit the wheelchair into the bathroom, so we have to pick him up and carry him," she said. Yolanda also said the new home will be more energy effiecient. Their house on Palace Street is build of cement blocks, which she said make the home hard to keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Ylsin said she is willing to do her part to build their new home, whether it is painting or building, just as long as she doesn't have to get on the roof because she is afraid of heights. "I'm very excited, and anxious to move to our new house," Ylsin said. "We will have more room to do things." Strubhart said, "Even though we don't start work on the house for a few more weeks, we want to get the word out now so we can get volunteers and donations. It has taken us a year-and-a-half just to get to this point." "We hope churches will come. We're hoping some youth groups and other organizations will use this as their community service project," Strubhart added. Volunteers will be given safety training and Strubhart said children 18 and under must have parents' consent. Caballero said many other families in Hobbs are living in inadequate housing. Habitat for Humanity hopes to help as many families as possible. For more information on Habitat for Humanity leave a message at 397-4398 or write P.O. Box 5833, Hobbs, NM 88240. BACK TO STORY - PAGE ONE |
