Holloman teams up with Habitat for Humanity

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Veronica Salgado
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  With the price of living, families with very low income are joining up with Habitat for Humanity to build a home along with dedicated and skillful volunteers from Holloman and around the community.

A groundbreaking ceremony for one family, the Duran's, was held Oct. 12 in Alamogordo, a place they will soon call home.
 
"Habitat for Humanity gives families who couldn't otherwise afford a home, a chance to boost them onto the 1st rung of the economic ladder," said Kathy Daviess, wife of Habitat for Humanity board president, Norman Daviess.

Kathy and Norman Daviess have worked with Habitat for Humanity for over eight years. Their goal is to have a house ready for move-in by Christmas. The cost of this house runs on an average of 70-80,000 dollars with zero interest.

This three bedroom house will be under construction for the Duran family of six. Fego and Lizbeth Duran have already begun their sweat equity by helping on a home that was in progress. They need to have 50 hours of sweat equity and ½ of their down payment before their home can begin to be built.

"It's not a give-away," said Norman Daviess. "There are three criteria, first families must have evidence of a low income, second, they must have a need for a decent place to live, and they must also be willing to help build their home with at least 300 hours of sweat equity"

These families are given up to 30 years to pay off their mortgage with payments as low as 300-400 dollars a month making this home cheaper than an apartment or renting a home. Fundraising and volunteer labor is what is needed for Otero County Habitat to be able to build more homes.

Chaplain Mathew Glaros, 49th Fighter Wing, came out for the groundbreaking ceremony for the invocation of the soon-to-be-built house. Chaplain Glaros agrees with Norman Daviess that homes for families with very low-income wouldn't be able to afford a house without God in the equation. "We're building on faith and the Lord will provide," he said.

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that is funded by the support of Otero County community. Sponsorship is available for organizations who would like to help build a home.

With most of the help coming from volunteers, donors are welcomed to pitch in with materials needed to build a house. The monthly payments are set aside to build more homes for families in need.

For more information contact the Otero County Habitat office at 575-437-6562.