Habitat for Humanity home project proceeds; volunteers sought to help

NORTH CANAAN — Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Connecticut chose a family in their July 1 round of applications for a new project, and they need volunteers to help.

The organization provides affordable housing for families, with a volunteer base that builds up lots with gifted time and effort. They employ an effective “affordability formula,” so lower-income families can own homes.

Potential families qualify for the program if they earn less than 60% of the median income for Litchfield County. A four-person family, for example, could have $61,740 as their maximum income. Additionally, those interested must be able to afford about $800 to $1,000 monthly payments for the Habitat mortgage (this includes insurance and taxes). Utility payments are separate.

This current project is located on 324 Salisbury Road in North Canaan. “We broke ground on this property last December,” said Habitat Executive Director Evan Cooper. “It’s located on a nice, beautiful lot, and it’s a single-family home with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

There are three lots in this location — one was built into a home years ago. That homeowner volunteered for the current project. Cooper explained, “He had some volunteer hours to finish up. It’s great he was that close.” The third lot is open for a future home.

As a part of the program, families that move into affordable homes must contribute hours to the umbrella volunteer effort. This includes working on their house, returning for work on new properties, or helping with fundraising events. In all, they must complete 400 “sweat equity” hours.

The application process is quite transparent. Habitat posts notices in newspapers, social services offices, and online, to communicate need for a new family. A selection committee reviews applications. If candidates meet Habitat’s’s preliminary qualifications, they progress to an interview.

“Demonstrating a need for safe and affordable housing is a top criterion, but the committee also looks at standard things like income, credit, debt to income, saving, employment history and ties to the community,” Cooper said.

Habitat’s “affordability formula” works to see families own homes, who traditionally could not. In short, the organization owns the land, and the family pays a ground lease.

Cooper said, “Our affiliate holds the mortgage, so we are able to offer… flexible terms.” Flexible terms mean low property taxes and a zero-interest mortgage.

In some cases, families don’t own houses initially. They might begin with a rental program, buttressed by Habitat homeownership classes. Eventually, with the organization’s help, they move to the homeownership model explained above.

Habitat hopes to see the Salisbury Road project finish for an early fall move-in date.

Ken Hall is the current site supervisor. He oversees material ordering and volunteers. Community members contribute to construction in many ways, from putting up drywall to landscaping.

“We just finished installing the roof and windows,” said Cooper. “Our next steps are electrical, plumbing and siding.”

Local service is the core of Habitat’s success. Richard Herrington, part-owner of the lumber and material supply business Herrington’s (with six locations including Lakeville and Millerton), started off the Salisbury Road construction with a donation.

Herrington’s provides Habitat with most materials. However, “Prices have gone up substantially,” Cooper said. “We’ve always been proud of building affordable homes for well under square-footage market price, and we’re still able to do that, but it’s tough.”

Volunteers of all ages, starting in high school, can visit the Habitat website to sign up and help. Also, on Sept. 23, community members can attend Habitat’s annual fundraising event at the Green Barn of Stillwaters Farm in Salisbury.  There will be food and entertainment from local performer Wanda Houston. Invitations will be sent out in email and print, and information will appear on the website.

Habitat has other projects underway as well. Recently, a homeowner who lived in a Falls Village property for 12 years passed away. “We’re in the process of buying that house back from the estate, so it can remain an affordable housing unit,” said Cooper.

An eligible family has already been selected for the Falls Village property.