Aspiring homebuyers have ray of hope
Valley of the Sun is an independent affiliate of Habitat for Humanity that serves the greater Phoenix area.
The basis for this program is to create opportunities for low-income families’ home ownership by means of land, donated building materials, zero interest mortgage rates and the most well known aspect of Habitat for Humanity, labor provided by volunteers.
Founded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity has built more than 200,000 homes and more than 1 million shelters in over 100 countries.
What goes into building a home? John Grootveld, a lead project manager with Valley of the Sun, stated that, “The most important element was finding land to build on.”
Land is becoming more of a premium and harder to find in the valley due to recent years of a high real estate market.
Once land is established, the next step is to set up the sponsorship for the $60,000 needed in materials to build the house.
After that, volunteers are assembled to work the 16 week schedule timeframe to build each house.
“Volunteers come with anything from no skills to experience and there is always something for everyone to do,” Grootveld said.
To qualify for a house a family must meet the following criteria:
• A family must be in the 35-65 percent median income with at least 2 years at their current job with a good standing letter from their employer.
• A family must first work 100 hours at a different house and then work 300 hours on their house, sweat equity.
Mortgages are around $100,000 and are interest free. The payments are rolled back into paying for the next section of land for development.
Grootveld was happy to state that with the 400 homes built by Valley of the Sun, “there have been no foreclosures.”
Sure sign families are doing well with Habitat for Humanity.
Valley of the Sun is always looking for volunteers to work and welcome students to their projects.
One great opportunity for MCC students to get involved will be the week of May 13 through May 17 in which Whirlpool will sponsor a Blitz Build in Guadalupe.
The project is set to build nine homes in five days.
Anyone interested should contact Habitat for Humanity’s Valley of the Sun at (602) 268-9022 or visit www.habitat.org.
Volume 44, Issue 11. Today is
David Burgess/Mesa Legend
Above, the first two-story house bulit by Valley of the Sun is close to completion.
Nacho Salado puts his carpenter skills to work putting up wire to hold the first coat of stucco.