DESERT
FOOTHILLS – The local chapter of Habitat for Humanity
has selected four more families for purchase of homes
to be constructed by Christmas 2007.
The
affordable‑housing advocate group plans to build
eight new residences on a one‑acre site on Blue
Ridge Road in Cave Creek, just across from the Rural/Metro
fire station, said Jack Gardner,
president of Habitat for Humanity‑Desert Foothills.
“The
property is zoned for 16 houses, but we have looked at
the design and backed off to eight in
order to make a better community,” Gardner said. “It’s
really a beautiful lot.”
One
exciting aspect of this particular Habitat project is
the larger size of the property, he noted, pointing out
that prior projects have been built on smaller‑sized
lots.
“This
site allows elbow room to organize living area not just
inside but outside, to include a play area for the children.”
Jeralee
Maynard, 24, a single mother with a four‑year‑old
son, is one of those selected to buy a unit. Maynard is
a real estate agent and office manager working in New
River. She says it has always been a dream of hers to
own a home.
“Working
in real estate, I get to see a lot of people get turned
down (for houses). I’m so excited about what they (Habitat
for Humanity) do–it makes so much sense,” Maynard said.
Each
family contributes many hours in labor, or sweat equity,
to the construction. Maynard said she is excited to learn
these skills so she can maintain her home after it is
built.
Four
of the eight units will be attached as duplexes and four
will be free‑standing structures. All are three‑bedroom,
two‑bath residences containing 1,200‑square
feet.
“Our
mission is to provide simple, livable, and affordable
living space for working families,” Gardner said.
“We’re
excited by the families we’ve selected. Not only are they
very deserving working families, but we think they will
add to the community.”
Also
selected to buy a home are Miriam and Jorge Ramos. The
couple have two children, ages 11
and 9. Miriam is a nurse’s assistant and her husband,
Jorge, is a handyman.
“I’m
excited to be able to buy a house up here in Cave Creek,”
Miriam said, adding she grew up in the town and still
has family living in the community.
“It’s
a lot safer place to live than in Phoenix,” she commented.
“It’s the place I want my kids to
live. The kids are very excited being able to go to school
up here.”
Thrivent
Financial for Lutherans has funded through a grant the
construction of one of these Habitat
for Humanity Desert Foothills’ houses.
“In
the Desert Foothills, we are as competitive as anybody
building houses, but the cost of
land is our real challenge,” Gardner said, pointing out
the local chapter is very grateful for the grant.
The
group plans to break ground on the first of its new units
in February 2007, said Linda Raisch, Habitat‑Desert
Foothills development director.
Reach
the reporter at kathleen@thedesertadvocate.com.
