Hillsboro family gets new home thanks to Habitat for Humanity
Lead Summary
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
The keys have been turned over and a Hillsboro family has a new home thanks to Highland County Habitat for Humanity.
Construction on the project home, located in the 600 block of North West Street in Hillsboro, has been ongoing for just over a year, and new owners Dwayne and Wendy Taylor are getting settled inside their new walls.
"It has been totally remodeled," said Trevor Elam, president of Highland County Habitat for Humanity.
Terry Collins, who was president last year when the project began, said that they were trying to make a difference for a local family, as well as bettering the community.
"We tried to find a foreclosed house in the city that was an eyesore, and prepare it for a habitat family, and enhance the neighborhood," Collins said.
From the walls in, "everything was touched," Collins said.
Volunteers replaced drywall, trim, floors, HVAC and more.
Elam said that finding the right family to go into the house was also a huge part of the project.
"This is a Christian organization," Elam said. "We were not trying to give a hand out, but a hand up to a family. They put in hours of sweat equity, and we coordinated time and volunteers, and the mortgage is held by Habitat, as 0 percent interest."
According to Robyn Coomer, a local Realtor and member of Habitat, the organization closed on the house last week.
Habitat member Trisha Collins said that families have to meet certain criteria in order to qualify to receive a home.
"It took a while to find a family, especially with the economy, and loss of jobs," she said.
Terry Collins said they wanted to help out families, but not to put them a situation where they would get in over their heads. They had to work on budgeting and make sure they could maintain the home and the payments.
"Once people learned you had to put in the sweat equity, we had a hard time finding a family," Terry Collins said. "It's the mindset of some people today. But when you find that right family, and they put the work in, they appreciate it more."
Taylor said that he was didn't want someone to just give him a house, and he was glad to be able to work with the volunteers toward creating a new home for his family, which includes two children.
"It's great. I didn't want someone to just give me a house," Taylor said. "I wouldn't feel good about that, but we were able to pitch in and work for it. I'm glad to have all this space."
Collins and Elam said that the city of Hillsboro and the Highland County Board of Commissioners have been very supportive toward the project.
Now, the organization is currently working on a house in Greenfield they built "from the ground up" on Jefferson Street. The walls are currently up, and they are hoping to have a roof up by next week.
The Greenfield home already has a family, but Highland County Habitat for Humanity is looking for future applicants and volunteers for ongoing projects.
To donate time, funds or for other questions about the projects, call Jean and Peter Meyers at (937) 403-1257.
The keys have been turned over and a Hillsboro family has a new home thanks to Highland County Habitat for Humanity.
Construction on the project home, located in the 600 block of North West Street in Hillsboro, has been ongoing for just over a year, and new owners Dwayne and Wendy Taylor are getting settled inside their new walls.
"It has been totally remodeled," said Trevor Elam, president of Highland County Habitat for Humanity.
Terry Collins, who was president last year when the project began, said that they were trying to make a difference for a local family, as well as bettering the community.
"We tried to find a foreclosed house in the city that was an eyesore, and prepare it for a habitat family, and enhance the neighborhood," Collins said.
From the walls in, "everything was touched," Collins said.
Volunteers replaced drywall, trim, floors, HVAC and more.
Elam said that finding the right family to go into the house was also a huge part of the project.
"This is a Christian organization," Elam said. "We were not trying to give a hand out, but a hand up to a family. They put in hours of sweat equity, and we coordinated time and volunteers, and the mortgage is held by Habitat, as 0 percent interest."
According to Robyn Coomer, a local Realtor and member of Habitat, the organization closed on the house last week.
Habitat member Tricia Collins said that families have to meet certain criteria in order to qualify to receive a home.
"It took a while to find a family, especially with the economy, and loss of jobs," she said.
Terry Collins said they wanted to help out families, but not to put them a situation where they would get in over their heads. They had to work on budgeting and make sure they could maintain the home and the payments.
"Once people learned you had to put in the sweat equity, we had a hard time finding a family," Terry Collins said. "It's the mindset of some people today. But when you find that right family, and they put the work in, they appreciate it more."
Taylor said that he was didn't want someone to just give him a house, and he was glad to be able to work with the volunteers toward creating a new home for his family, which includes two children.
"It's great. I didn't want someone to just give me a house," Taylor said. "I wouldn't feel good about that, but we were able to pitch in and work for it. I'm glad to have all this space."
Collins and Elam said that the city of Hillsboro and the Highland County Board of Commissioners have been very supportive toward the project.
Now, the organization is currently working on a house in Greenfield they built "from the ground up" on Jefferson Street. The walls are currently up, and they are hoping to have a roof up by next week.
The Greenfield home already has a family, but Highland County Habitat for Humanity is looking for future applicants and volunteers for ongoing projects.
To donate time, funds or for other questions about the projects, call Jean and Peter Meyers at (937) 403-1257.
The following individuals and businesses have contributed to the proeject:
[[In-content Ad]]The following individuals and businesses have contributed to the proeject:
Businesses:
First Presbyterian Church
Kibler Lumber, Hillsboro
Larson Corp.
Lowes, Hillsboro
Mark Edenfield, Inc.
McCoy Plumbing
NCB employees
Patterson Home Improvements
Peters Heating & Cooling
Precision Painting
R.G. Enterprise
Spectrum Service, LLC
Valero Inc. / C/O Tim Countryman and employees
Wright Bro. Drywall
Zornes Services, LLC
Individuals:
Tim Countryman and fellow employees
Becky Hollaway
Donnie Ward
Joe Williams
Joel Sims
Tim Carver
Tom and Mona Parker
Mark Taylor
Rodney Suiter
Henrey Willis
Board Members that helped:
Peg Beekman (Financial Adviser)
Dave Collins (Treasurer)
Terry Collins (Former President)
Tricia Collins (Former Vice Pres)
Trevor Elam (Present President)
Robyn Coomer (Present Vice Pres)
Mike Macarty (Board Member)
Pete Meyers (Board Member)
Jean Meyers (Board Member)
Paul Pence (Secretary)
Sue Smith (Board Member)
Lance Smaltz (Board Member)