Habitat home getting modernized; another on the way

Written by Alex Davis Wednesday, 29 June 2011 15:44

George McEvoy of North Carolina does some demolition work on the first Habitat for Humanity home in Cape May County built about 20 years ago.

WHITESBORO – Luisa Lopez's house in Whiteboro had become unlivable.

Water had damaged floor framing and drywall, and the heating system had stopped working.

“She probably thought it (improvements) was never going to happen,” said Angela Suarez of Whitesboro, whose one of the homeowner’s daughters.

Then the Habitat for Humanity got involved.

Now the house – the first Habitat for Humanity home in Cape May County built about 20 years ago – is getting a major makeover.

“We have taken on this project as part of our commitment to the neighborhood, to do what ever we can to ensure that Habitat homes going forward are positive assets in local Cape May County communities,” said Shawn Lockyear, executive director of the Habitat for Humanity Cape May County.

On Saturday, June 25, people carried panels of drywall and plywood, 2-by-6 and 2-by-4 lumber and insulation into the Wildwood Avenue home.

This was the first day of renovations after doing some demolition work that day and earlier this month.

Improvements include repairing and replacing water-damaged floor and walls, replacing bathroom fixtures and replacing defective windows and the heating system, Lockyear said.

The house will be easily accessible, too, with a ramp as well as wider doorways. It will also become more energy efficient.

“It (these renovations) means a lot to her,” said Miriam Lopez of Whitesboro, whose mother lives in the house. About four family members are helping with the housing project.

Work is due to be finished by the end of July, she said.

Repairs are being paid for by the family through a mortgage with Habitat for Humanity Cape May County. The family is also putting in at least 150 hours of work into the project.

Habitat for Humanity Cape May County is using this rehabilitation project in preparation for building a stick-built home on 703 Reeves St. in Whitesboro in mid- to late July.

“We are excited about going back to stick-building because it enables many volunteers to get involved in the real work of Habitat for Humanity – building houses in partnership with families in need in our community,” Lockyear said.

This will be the Habitat’s 10th home constructed in the county. It will be built on land donated by Middle Township.

“We are currently clearing the lot, and hiring professional contractors to build the foundation and the septic system,” she said. “As soon as they are complete, we will be ready to start the building project.”

That house should be finished by the year’s end, Lockyear said.

There should be no problems in finding a family to live in the house, either. Sixty-four applications were received.

She calls getting that many applications “unprecedented.” And that number makes it clear: A need exists for affordable home options in Cape May County, she said.

Those qualifying for a Habitat would be those “families earning approximately $34,000 per year or less,” she said.

“Our family selection committee is still working through the process of reviewing applications, and will be scheduling interviews with finalists right after the July Fourth holiday,” Locyear said. “We hope to have a family chosen by the time we begin construction.”

Constructing stick-built homes will continue. The wish is for more than one to be built in the county a year rather than a modular home.

Habitat also built a stick-built house in 2005. There have been five Habitat homes built in Whitesboro. Whitesboro is a hot spot because of land donated by Middle Township.

Helping hands to build are always needed for Habitat.

“Volunteer labor and donations of money and materials make it possible for Habitat to build affordable houses alongside our homeowner partner families in our community,” Lockyear said.

Volunteers may sign up at www.habitatcapemaycounty.org

“Habitat is not a giveaway program,” Lockyear said. “Habitat families make monthly mortgage payments, but what makes the payments affordable is that the houses are sold for significantly less than market value, and are financed by Habitat Cape May via a no-interest mortgage.”

An affiliate of the Habitat for Humanity, an international nonprofit, ecumenical Christian ministry, was founded in Cape May County in 1990.

 

Alex Davis can be e-mailed at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or you can comment on this story by calling 624-8900, ext. 250.

 

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