The program uses grant funds to purchase and rehabilitate foreclosed homes and then sell them to new owners, stabilizing neighborhoods and getting properties back onto the tax digest in the process. The sale price of the house is based on the total investment that is put into the property. Any income generated by the sale of an NSP home is put back into the Neighborhood Stabilization Program to continue its overall mission.
The 14 students from New Hampshire have spent the past several days working on an NSP home on Black Drive. They've built a privacy fence, painted walls and ceilings and completed general repairs on the home.
''This project is well suited to our volunteer friends from New Hampshire,'' said Ann Nixon, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Hall County. ''Much of what needs to be done involves surface repairs and improvements that do not require much experience. The few tasks that are more involved will be handled by our team from Habitat High who have more advanced skills. It's a wonderful way to get started on NSP work for the County.''
Habitat High is a joint venture of the Hall County School System, Habitat for Humanity of Hall County and the Gainesville-Hall County Homebuilders Association. Twelve to 18 students are selected each year to build a Habitat home as part of the Habitat High program, which is the only program of its kind in the country.
Hall County hosted a barbecue for the New Hampshire students who are volunteering with Habitat on a NSP home.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2013/4/260684