Lincoln County’s Habitat for Humanity continues to makeprogress on its 13th home.

 

    Viola Cupit, Habitat’s Director of Family Services, said this homeis coming along very well. The frame has been built, the roof hasbeen shingled and the windows have been placed. The next phase willbe to add air-conditioning and heating units as well as finish theplumbing and electrical work.

    William Davis, head of construction for Habitat, said the sheetrockwill be hung soon after the insulation has been finished.

    Sarah Grice will receive the home located at 3200 Maude Lane inBogue Chitto.

    Habitat for Humanity depends on volunteers and donated materialsand money. Davis said many have been willing to help out so far.The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints helped placeshingles on the roof, and Wal-Mart Distribution Center will sendvolunteers to the house on Jan. 10, 16 and 17.

    Cupit said Habitat houses go to people who meet three criteria. Thefirst is that they must show a need, such as bad water or roofleaks. The applicant must then show that he or she can pay theinterest-free 30-year mortgage. Finally, the applicant must also bewilling to become a partner with Habitat. He or she must volunteerto work on both his or her new house and others in the area.

    Cupit said most houses cost between $29,000 and $50,000 and monthlynotes have never cost over $300. The cost of the house is strictlybased on the cost of materials and any outside contractors thatmust be hired.

    Cupit said while many churches volunteer with Habitat, she said shewants all the churches to know this is an important mission here inLincoln County.

    “This is a community effort because without the community, Habitatcannot do a thing,” he said.

    Davis said what is great about Habitat is that it does not justgive people affordable housing but moves them out of run-downrental homes into something of their own. He said oftentimes thehome’s mortgage is around half of what the family was paying torent a dilapidated home.

    “(Habitat) is one of the best things going on in the country tohelp people,” he said.

    Davis said Habitat is a Christian organization that helps pullpeople out of low-income situations without the help of thegovernment.

    Cupit said she has seen five homeowners go back to school afterreceiving a Habitat house. The homes help to stabilize the familiesand work towards improving their lives.

    “We don’t just help (the families),” she said. “We’re helping thewhole community to improve.”

    For more information about volunteering or applying for a house,contact Habitat for Humanity at (601) 823-4061.