Ground breaking for Crystal & Michael's new home was held on Sunday, April 10th at 489 E Church Street in Xenia. This house has a couple of special features we're adding: it will be handicap-accessible to accomodate Michael's wheelchair and it will include a safe room (the hall bath).

Building a handicap-accessible home means wider hallways, a larger bedroom for Michael, and a roll-under sink in the bathroom. Built on a slab, this may be a challenge for our building crews!

Habitat for Humanity - Ohio has given a grant to help defray the cost of building the safe room. We have built similar rooms in other builds (5 other homes).  HFHO is looking to us to help develop a Companion Construction Manual for other Habitat affiliates that might have a need to build a safe room. This means they will be monitoring the build closely: step-by-step via video footage.

Construction has begun on the new home. Come out and join the fun! We have parishioners from St Brigid Church that have promised to assist with the build and we are looking forward to putting them to work! Thank you, St Brigid Church for your energetic support on this build!

John & Karen Loy, along with their children, moved into their new home mid-February, 2011.  The parcel of land that their new home sits on has an historic background; one that weaves together threads of pain, generosity, and joy in a way that one usually hears of in bedtime stories.

The original home on that parcel belonged to the Henry Family until tragedy struck. The Henry home was destroyed in the tornado of '74. Being declared a complete loss, the Henry Family donated their land to Habitat for Humanity.  Several years later, Mr Henry made history as the first black mayor of Xenia.  God has a way of turning mourning into joy.
 
The joy continued to spread when the Loys were selected as Habitat - Greene County's 2010 Partner Family...to receive the Henry Family's parcel of land. What a blessing!
 
The Loy's home dedication was held at Liberty Worship Center after a housewarming shower given by church members. Among the many gifts given that day, Karen received a Habitat Cookbook & apron and John received a tote of tools: work is never done - even in a hew house!

Also in attendance was Mayor Marsha Bayless, County Commissioner Rick Perales, Former Mayor Phyllis Pennewitt, Pastor Gene Martin of Liberty Worship Center, and Father John Krumm of St Brigid Church. The clergymen offered words of encouragement and prayed over the family in their new home. They also continued a long-standing tradition by gifting Karen with a Bible. Ms Bayless shared a few memories of the Henry family. Ms Pennewitt gave the Loy family a plaque commemorating the historic significance of the parcel of land where their new house rests and Mr Perales presented them with an American Flag.

Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses alongside our homeowner (partner) families. Habitat is not a giveaway program. In addition to a down payment and monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor (sweat equity) into building their Habitat house and the houses of others. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with affordable loans. The homeowners' monthly mortgage payments are used to build still more Habitat houses.

To achieve home ownership with Habitat, families must meet the following qualifications:

1. Need for adequate housing - This could mean that housing is dilapidated or unsafe. It could also mean that the rent is beyond the family's means or that the housing is too small or otherwise unsuited for the family. There are many ways in which housing can be inadequate.

2. Inability to get a mortgage from a bank - This means that the family's income is too low for them to save for a down payment and make the monthly payments for a bank mortgage.

3. Ability to pay for the home - The house is not free, but since Habitat homeowners do not pay interest, the payments become affordable to the family, including tax and insurance. It is very important that a Habitat homeowner is able to make the payment each month. When the house is complete, the homeowner must pay a nominal fee for the costs of preparing the mortgage and getting the insurance.

4. Willingness to partner - Building a home with Habitat is a partnership. One adult over 18 years of age must contribute 300 hours. Two adults are required to contribute 500 hours total together. Other members of the family, including children, are encouraged to volunteer time to feel included in the process. Their hours also count towards these requirements.

We call this “sweat equity.” It’s hard work, and during the construction process, it will probably take all of their spare time. After the home is done, the homeowner continues to be a partner, giving support to Habitat and other homeowners.

5. Satisfactory Credit History - The Habitat homeowner takes on a big commitment in building and buying a home. As part of the selection process, references are checked to verify the family has a good credit history.

6. Resident of Greene County - The applicant must have been a resident of Greene County for the previous year.

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age, marital status, or sources of income.

Here is a brief brochure describing the criteria families must meet to become a Partner in Habitat for Humanity's house building program.