FirstEnergy grant to build 6 homes

YSU students will help build Habitat for Humanity homes.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Habitat for Humanity of Mahoning County has received a $260,000 grant from FirstEnergy Corp. to build six energy-efficient homes in the Mahoning Valley in 2004 and 2005.
Also, Habitat Mahoning has established a partnership with Youngstown State University student groups to serve as volunteers to help build the homes, said William Farragher, Habitat board member.
The grant is the result of a recent $2.7 million gift made by FirstEnergy Corp., parent company of Ohio Edison, to Habitat for Humanity International. As part of FirstEnergy's electric restructuring transition plan, approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio in 2000, the company agreed to support low-income housing with energy-efficient improvements in the service areas of its electric operating companies, according to spokeswoman Karen Fox.
The grant provides full funding for four homes, which sell to the owner-partner for $38,000 and have a market value of $50,000 to $60,000. The rest of the grant money is used to partially fund two more homes, with a challenge to the local Habitat chapter to raise the remainder of the money needed, Farragher said.
Over the past two years, FirstEnergy has given $6.56 million to Habitat for Humanity, which has resulted in the construction of 104 homes in its Ohio service areas.
Progress so far
Farragher said six sites for the homes have been located and are in the process of being purchased. Construction on the first home, for which a partner-owner has been approved, will begin later this month, he said.
Partner-owners must be employed, have a reasonable credit rating and the ability to make payments of $300 a month, which includes taxes. There is no down payment, and no interest is charged. They must also invest 350 hours of sweat equity, Farragher said.
The ranch-style homes built by Habitat Mahoning have three bedrooms, a bath and no basement or garage. The finished residence includes a utility shed, a gravel driveway and landscaping.
Farragher said Habitat Mahoning has leased a warehouse on Manning Avenue to use as a staging area for materials and in which to do some prefabrication and locate an office.