HAMILTON – Habitat for Humanity won’t solve the housing shortage along the North Shore which is so critical that Gov. Maura Healey persuaded the legislature to pass a $5.16 billion housing bond bill on the last day of the session.
But creating 10 new homes here, plus a duplex in Haverhill on Leslie Road and a duplex on Curtis Street in Ipswich for low-income families is very likely to change forever the lives of the families, who are helping build homes they will own.
Specifically, it will change the lives of four single mothers and their children, a Marine, a teacher and a veterinarian, who won the Habitat for Humanity lottery for homes here in Hamilton.
“The stability of owning their own home, growing up in one school district with friends, playing sports is life-changing,” said Meegan O’Neil, executive director of the Essex County Habitat for Humanity. “The families I meet through Habitat are incredible, creating bright futures for their family.”
Habitat, the global non-profit organization working in local communities across all 50 states and in approximately 70 countries, is building one-, two- and three-bedroom homes about a mile down Asbury Road from the estate of the late General George Patton. Surrounded by farms and preserved Greenbelt land, the homes at 434-436 Asbury St. are being built by Habitat professionals assisted by the homeowners, who applied to own the homes and were selected by lottery.
The two- and three-bedroom homes are expected to be ready for move-in early next year, O’Neill said. The one-bedroom homes will break ground soon.
In a market where homes average $634,429 for three-bedroom residences, these three-bedroom homes cost the new homeowners $244,500. The two-bedroom homes sold for $195,000. The one-bedroom homes, which will cost $194,600, are a bit of new departure for Habitat.
Known for building larger homes for families, Habitat is experimenting with the one-bedroom homes because so many younger people are leaving to the state to find affordable housing, O’Neill said.
Habitat arranges for the homeowners to have a 30-year mortgage. The monthly payment, made up of principal, interest and fees, cost the homeowner no more than one-third of their income.
Founded in 1979 by Millard and Linda Fuller, Habitat’s vision is to create a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
Habitat works toward this vision by building strength, stability and self-reliance in partnership with families in need of decent and affordable housing. Habitat homeowners contribute 250 hours of sweat equity in building the house.
The Hamilton property was purchased from the estate of Phillip Marcorelle. It is surrounded by protected woods, giving the new homeowners scenic views from almost every room.
In addition to the homeowners helping cut the cost, Habitat receives private donations. For this build, the Hamilton Affordable Housing Trust contributed $400,000 toward the land purchase.
Volunteer Kevin Prendergast from North Andover brought a lifetime of construction skills to the construction of these homes. He became a Habitat volunteer because he wanted to put those skills to work for a good cause. In 2007, when his employer reorganized and laid him off, he started volunteering his time and skills to Habitat.
Working last week at one of the homes in Hamilton, he said it is great place to volunteer. “Everyone is here because they want to be,” Pendergast said. “It is a pretty nice environment.”
On several builds, he has honed his construction skills, learning from other volunteers and contractors, he said. “Now I’m the guy they send the tough problems to.”
In the two-story, three-bedroom homes, Habitat is designing the homes with wider doors and a bedroom on the first level to accommodate residents who are aging. Ramps can be added easily if a resident is in a wheelchair, O’Neill said.
And it is expanding its services beyond home building. It now offers to repair and improve homes for low-income families. This month, the Habitat volunteers are building a ramp for a low-income elderly resident in West Newbury.
For more information, to volunteer or apply for a home, visit www.essexcountyhabitat.org.
