JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — Even as the bright sun reflected off the shovels during the ground breaking of Habitat for Humanity in Ashtabula County’s 13th home Saturday morning, none was brighter than the smiles.
“Brothers and sisters in Christ, we have come together to seek God’s blessing as we set apart this ground for the building of a new Habitat home,” said Pat Cramer, president of the Habitat for Humanity in Ashtabula County board of directors.
The groundbreaking took place on the future home sight of 453 Mercer Avenue in Jefferson Township.
The new homeowners are David and Kelly Hastings of Ashtabula. They are excited at the prospect of becoming Jefferson residents and have gone through the organization’s extensive application process, which included financial counseling.
“We initially went to Catholic Charities with my daughter on another matter and we got on the subject of Habitat for Humanity and things just flew after that,” Kelly Hastings said. “I can’t wait to have my own garden.”
The family will contribute 500 hours of “sweat equity” either directly in the house construction or in support of its construction.
The Hastings were selected to apply for the program after a prescreening process, said Sandra Fletcher, director of Habitat for Humanity in Ashtabula County.
“This is our life changing ministry. With the building of this home, we are one more step to reaching our goal of eliminating sub-standard housing,” Fletcher said.
Habitat considers three selection criteria for people applying for a Habitat house: Families must show a need for the home, meaning they are living in overcrowded housing, inadequate or dangerous housing or “cost-burdened” housing (paying more than 30 percent of their income in rent). Families must meet an income level based on their family size, and they must be willing to contribute labor, she said.
The partner family receives a brand new home and a zero percent interest mortgage for materials only.
“The program is such a wonderful opportunity for eligible families,” she said. “They get to help (to) build the home. We call it a hand up, not a handout.”
This year, First Energy has partnered with Habitat as a one-half-house sponsor. The company is sponsoring half the cost of materials. There also are some First Energy employees volunteering with the build, Fletcher said.
Present at the groundbreaking were State Rep. Deborah Newcomb, Conneaut, and Ashtabula County Commissioner Dan Claypool.
“The Board of Commissioners was able to obtain a $20,000 Community Housing Improvement Grant and make it possible to put one more family in their own home,” Claypool said.
Also, the Geneva Eagles presented a check for $5,000 to Fletcher for the project.
Ashtabula County Joint Vocational School also is partnering with the organization this year, as several students will be helping with certain components of the build, Fletcher said.
The home is a standard three-bedroom home built on a concrete slab.
“We are so grateful to everyone involved,” Dave Hastings said.
Habitat needs volunteers to help with the project, as well as donations. Anyone interested in volunteering or donating should contact Fletcher (440) 998-0400.
Local News
Habitat breaks ground for 13th house in county
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