Friday March 29th, 2024 8:28AM

VIDEO: Future homeowners get a sneak peek at Habitat for Humanity neighborhood

GAINESVILLE - Habitat for Humanity of Hall County celebrated World Habitat Day Monday with an official soil-turning ceremony, followed by showing some future homeowners where their new homes will be located.

Executive Director Ann Nixon said the new subdivision, the first of its kind in the area, has been in the works for over a year. "We were very fortunate to receive this donation a year ago, and the Hall County Commission has been a good partner with us, helping us to rezone and get the infrastructure in place so we can get started building homes, and we're very close."

Future homeowner Courtney Young will have the first home on the property, spanning three and a half acres in the subdivision off Candler Highway. She said she pictures a big porch, complete with rocking chairs, and her two sons, ages 10 and 12, out front in their yard.

"Being able to get a Habitat home is impacting me and my kids, because without Habitat, I don't think I would be a homeowner," said Young. "With Habitat, it's zero percent interest, so when  I pay my first mortgage payment it goes straight to my house, which is a blessing. Anybody that has a home, they can tell you zero percent interest, that's a big deal." 

Caleb Last and his family, including mother Pam and daughters Lili and Ava, echoed the sentiment. "This last time there was 130 people that applied, so I wasn't thinking I was even going to get a shot at it, because they only had 25 homes. But I got that call!" said Last. "The house is actually interest free, so to compensate for that they say 300 sweat equity hours, or volunteer hours, is equal to what interest would be."

Those sweat equity hours do more than just pay the interest, though. Young said she and another future homeowner hit it off - and soon, they'll be neighbors.

"We started in April of last year with our sweat (equity) hours. We've been working in the Re-Store together and for us to start together and finish together, that's a blessing. And then, we'll be right across from each other. So to know your neighbor... you don't have to get to know your neighbor. You know who is going to be in your neighborhood."

Nixon said they expect to begin building within the next few weeks.

 

 

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