YOUNGSTOWN Habitat breaks ground for house
It's the 14th home to be improved or built in Mahoning County by the Habitat group.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Habitat for Humanity of Mahoning County broke ground for its ninth new house in the county Tuesday morning at 423 Broadway Ave. on the city's North Side.
A three-bedroom, one-bath ranch on a slab will be built on the site.
Dr. William Bunn, local Habitat president, said the new project was made possible through a $52,000 grant from FirstEnergy.
In addition, St. Elizabeth Health Center donated a 100-by-150-foot lot on Broadway just north of St. Elizabeth's campus for the house.
LaTanya Christian was selected as the partner/owner of the house.
Christian, a single mother of four children, is a graduate of the Beatitude House program for women.
Bunn said Christian "comes to Habitat in need of a home of her own, filled with enthusiasm and ready to work on her new home."
He said that the actions of FirstEnergy, St. Elizabeth's, Beatitude House and Habitat to combine resources to improve the inner city "is a very real sign of the new cooperative spirit that is spreading throughout our greater community."
Lots acquired
St. Elizabeth's recently acquired several lots along the south side of Broadway from the corner of Belmont and Broadway. The large corner lot that extends 266 feet east will be turned into a greenspace, parklike area.
Bunn said, "We are proud to be a part of St. Elizabeth's generous and farseeing project of upgrading the neighborhood around their campus. Our Habitat house should fit in well with their plan and make a strong contribution to their 'quality of life' improvement program."
The local Habitat affiliate was founded here in 1989. Since then, it has either rehabbed or built 14 houses.
Habitat homes sell for $35,000 with no down payment and no interest, officials said. Average mortgages run 15 years. Mortgage payments are $250 per month and include taxes and insurance.
Habitat partner/owners must go through a selection process. Their basic qualifications are: a yearly family income of between $13,000 and $20,000; be living in substandard housing; be unable to obtain a regular bank home loan; have reasonable credit standing; and be willing to put in 350 hours of sweat equity on their home and on other Habitat projects.
The partner/owner family, upon completion of their sweat equity hours and their home, receives the deed to their property and house.
Bunn called for volunteers to help build the Broadway house and another Habitat house under construction at 2928 Ridley Ave. on the East Side.
He noted that volunteers will be working every Saturday until the end of the year at one site or the other.
To volunteer, call (330) 743-7244 or (330) 533-5029.