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 On Friday, May 9, 2014, Habitat for Humanity of Carroll County broke ground on 5 new townhouse units at Union Crossing in the City of Westminster. Habitat for Humanity is an international nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry founded on the belief that "every many woman and child should have a decent, safe and affordable place to live". Habitat for Humanity International has helped to build or repair over 800,000 houses and served over 4 million people worldwide.
The Carroll County Habitat for Humanity Affiliate was established in 2002 and the recent ground breaking begins the construction of the first homes built by the Carroll Habitat organization since 2008. In 2012 a dormant Habitat group was jumpstarted when 5 dedicated Board Members hired Bryan Lyburn as part time Executive Director. Over the last year, the dedicated volunteers that serve Habitat have coordinated 3 home repair projects and have been working diligently on the planning of Union Crossing.
The dream of building more new houses in Carroll became a reality as the group, working closely with the City of Westminster, identified a site in the City. The group has also received major funding support from the City of Westminster and the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development through a Community Development Block Grant. The Habitat for Humanity of Carroll County Board of Directors has worked hard to raise funds and find partners to assist with in-kind services over the last year to make this project a reality.
Who will live in the five new houses? The local Habitat "Family Selection Committee" is working hard to answer that question. When the plans to construct the homes were announced, application information was presented in the local paper and given to local non-profit organizations and churches who work with residents who need what Habitat creates, a decent, safe and affordable place to live. Thirty-two families applied to purchase the new homes slated to be completed by late 2014. The committee interviewed many families and will ultimately chose the five deserving families based on their level of need, willingness to become partners in the program, and their ability to pay for the housing.
Habitat requires each family acquiring a new home to partner with them by contributing a minimum 250 hours of labor for the organization, ideally working directly on the construction of their own home. If a family is not able to participate in the physical labor required during construction, they can work with Habitat in another capacity such as providing help in the local office.
Each homeowner is required to pay for the new home or home repairs provided by the organization. The repayment typically occurs through a zero percent interest loan. In the case of the Carroll County homes, the mortgage will be held by Habitat. The expected mortgage payments for a new 3 bedroom home with 2 bathrooms is approximately $750.00 per month. In most cases, this is less than the family would pay to rent a small apartment. The families feel the pride of their investment in their new home. Families considered for the Habitat programs can have an income no more than 60% of Area Median Income based on family size. In Carroll County, this is approximately $51,000 for a family of four.
The receipt of mortgage payments for the newly constructed homes along with additional donations will give Habitat of Carroll County seed money to build more homes in the near future. Habitat uses this model worldwide. I recently spoke to a member of a large Habitat group based in Ohio who explained that the more established groups in the United States each also have a "tithing partner" Habitat group in a less developed country. Well established Habitat groups based in the US give 10% of all funds raised toward new housing in their area to their partner group in the less developed country to construct homes in that area.
Bryan Lyburn, Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity of Carroll County said, "We are proud to have Hanover Land Service as a partner in this project and appreciate their commitment to our Mission. Doug and Kristin Barmoy have both worked very hard to help with our Union Crossing Project and have been instrumental in the growth of our organization." Hanover Land Services feels fortunate to be able provide in-kind services for recent projects. In addition, Doug Barmoy serves on the Board Of Directors and leads the Construction Committee. HLS also donated services in the past to help with a York (PA) Habitat for Humanity project. If you would like to know how you or your company can get involved with Habitat for Humanity, please contact Doug at Habitat for Humanity Dbarmoy@hanoverlandservices.com
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Owner financing possible.