Charity Malcolm and her two young children have been living in a drafty trailer. Their living situation will take a turn upward this summer when they move into a new home they helped build with the assistance of Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity volunteers and community partners. Malcolm, who spoke recently at the dual Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant presentation and townhomes dedication at Painters Point, WV, told the audience that she "wanted something better for my children." She added that she applied for Habitat housing to improve their lives.
When the first phase of River Bend Gardens opens this June and the Malcolms and five other families move in, it will bring to 96 the number of homes the local Habitat chapter has built in partnership with low-income families since 1988, the year Almost Heaven Habitat was founded. When the project is fully completed in April 2011, a total of 105 homes will have been built.
Overlooking the South Branch River, River Bend Gardens' five mansion-style buildings are comprised of three individual homes with unique floor plans, for a total of 15 new affordable housing units. Covered porches encompassing each building's perimeter will add a classic feel. In addition, each building was designed for maximum energy efficiency. River Bend Gardens will serve homeless, disabled and able-bodied individuals and families.
Each Habitat home is built with the assistance of homebuyers, who help construct their own home and the homes of their neighbors. In addition, each homebuyer must complete instruction in credit counseling and home maintenance skills. Habitat homeowners enjoy zero-percent mortgages, helping them transition to a more stable living environment.
The $225,000 grant from FHLBank brings to $550,000 the total amount of AHP grants delivered to Almost Heaven Habitat by Pendleton Community Bank, a member of the FHLBank local lender cooperative. Additional funding comes from the West Virginia Housing Development Fund and U.S. Housing and Urban Development's Self-Help Housing Opportunity Program.
O n hand for the dedication were Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito (WV-02), William "Bill" Loving, chief executive officer of Pendleton Community Bank; Christopher Ptomey, from the Washington, D.C. congressional relations office of Habitat for Humanity International; Bill Miller, district manager of government relations for FHLBank Pittsburgh; and other affordable housing and community development advocates.
"Community cooperation is critical when it comes to developing and providing affordable housing," said Congresswoman Capito. "Programs like this one help make it possible for families to find affordable housing when they need it. Affordable housing remains a priority in Congress, and it is critical that our communities play a role in the solution."
Through 16 banks in West Virginia, AHP has provided private funding for the acquisition, construction or rehabilitation of lower-income affordable housing units across the Mountain State.
