By By TED STRONG
Staff Writer
Habitat for Humanity of Beaufort County is hoping to find another family to help.
Since the group finished its 16th house, in Bath, the group hasn’t had any applications.
“They seem to come in fits and starts,” said board member Manyard Hamblin.
The Bath house was built for a family with two nearly grown sons.
The house was dedicated June 6 with prayers at a ceremony attended by town officials, and the family has since moved in.
Each house is built to meet the needs of the family that will receive it, Hamblin said.
A house in Chocowinity, for example, was configured for a disabled person.
“The family needs to have sweat equity in the project of about 200 hours,” Hamblin said.
The family must also have good credit, and the kind of income that will allow them to make payments on their interest-free mortgage.
Right now that tends to be about $400 per month, Hamblin said.
The bill includes principal, insurance and taxes.
But the likelihood of rising taxes and insurance rates means that the monthly bill for a Habitat house could rise.
And a family must currently be living in sub-standard conditions.
“We are waiting to find a family that qualifies to build a house for,” Hamblin said.
He added later, “A lot of people can’t qualify because they do have to have good credit. Sometimes that’s pretty hard when you’re in destitute circumstances.”
Hamblin said the group has built houses in Washington, Belhaven, Bath and Chocowinity, and would love to work in Aurora, if the need ever arises.
To reach Habitat for Humanity of Beaufort County, call 252-975-1750.