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Habitat For Humanity
OWNING A HOME is every family’s desire, the American dream. But for those less fortunate, this dream can be a nightmare when even affordable homes seem so far out of reach. For many years, Habitat for Humanity International has sought to make this dream a reality for these families.
“Habitat for Humanity is a great organization, and they fill a great need in this community,” said Lori McGriff, President of Emmer Development Corp., and past-president of the Builders Association of North Central Florida.
For over 20 years, the local chapter of Habitat has helped citizens whose homes are in severe disrepair, too small for the family size or located in an unsafe neighborhood by asking volunteers to donate time or money to help build a suitable home for a needy family. Candidates for Habitat homes are selected based on need, willingness to work and financial ability to maintain the house. While the cost of sponsorship is roughly $50,000, a home can be sponsored by a church, business organization, civic group or private group of individuals.
Lori McGriff is coordinating the third and latest Habitat home in the Gainesville area, which began construction in December 2005. The four-bedroom, two-bathroom house is being built in Celebration Oaks, a development in southeast Gainesville off of Hawthorne Road, where Habitat plans to build approximately 60 homes over the next several years.
The Builders Association of North Central Florida has worked in constructing the home and bringing in volunteer subcontractors to ensure a quality home is built in a timely manner. Lynn Paris, the director of construction at Habitat, said the Builders Association’s participation is truly a complete package.
“The house is moving along well, and it’s been a great experience,” he said. The home is set to be completed in time for the association’s Spring Parade of Homes on April 22 – 23, which McGriff hopes will bring more awareness to the organization’s mission to provide safe, quality housing to those in need. It’s not the first Habitat house to be included in the Parade showcase, but it is the first time that new homeowners have been involved.
“We [featured a Habitat house] before, in 2004, I believe, but we didn’t know the [future residents],” she said. “This time around, we’re building alongside the family.”
Habitat regularly seeks help with building construction, public relations, office duties, recycling and fundraising as well as sponsors. G
For more information on how to assist Habitat for Humanity on this home or on future homes, call the local office at (352) 378-4663.