Habitat for Humanity

This year, the twelfth for Habitat for Humanity of Mesa County, looks to be an exciting one. Saturday, April 20, is the provisional date for a groundbreaking auction that may change forever the way Habitat for Humanity of Mesa County raises money for its cause.

On or near that date, dependent on the construction’s progress, a lovely, upscale home in Fountain Greens subdivision will auctioned to the public, and the net proceeds from the auction will be donated to Habitat for Humanity to be used for their Camelot Garden subdivision.

Located at 2494 Interlocken Court, the 1200 square-foot auction home features two bedrooms and two bathrooms, is filled with upgrades — including hardwood flooring, window coverings, a stained glass window, a skylight, and two bay box windows — and comes fully landscaped. “This is the first time we have done something on this scale as a fundraiser in Mesa County,” says Jennifer Brownell, board member and chairperson for Habitat for Humanity of Mesa County’s public relations committee. “We are amazed at the response to this project. Many local builders, contractors, and suppliers have donated their time, supplies, materials, and labor.”

Doug Skelton and Robert Ras of Skelton Construction are supervising the construction of the auction house. Skelton Construction generously donated its equity in the land for the house and is arranging all the subcontracting work on the home. Habitat for Humanity expects the house to sell for about $140,000. That would give Habitat for Humanity a net sum of about $100,000 to begin the infrastructure for their eleven home subdivision, Camelot Gardens, near the Eastgate Shopping Center.

Habitat for Humanity International was founded in 1977 by Millard Fuller. Fuller’s goal for Habitat was to help low-income families obtain a nice house at an affordable price. To date, Habitat for Humanity has completed over 100,000 homes worldwide, including some 30,000 houses across the United States. In response to local need, the Mesa County affiliate was incorporated in March 1990. By the end of 2001, twenty-four homes in Mesa County had been completed.

The homes built in Mesa County by Habitat for Humanity are modest, about 1000 square feet, but very nice homes with all new materials. “Habitat neighborhoods look nice and blend in with the community as a whole,” says Brownell.

The applications for purchasing a house from Habitat in Mesa County are reviewed once a year. Applicants must have resided in Mesa County for a minimum of one year. “To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate need, must be willing to partner with Habitat’s local affiliate, and be able to pay a mortgage,” says Jennifer Brownell.

Purchasers of Habitat for Humanity homes pay a monthly mortgage payment that is interest-free. According to Brownell, the interest-free mortgage allows working people to own a home that they otherwise would not have been able to afford. Families selected have an income of between $11,000 and $24,000 a year, depending on the size of the family. But Habitat for Humanity is not a charity, but a laudable community hands-up program. Applicants for the program must complete 500 hours of “sweat equity” to be eligible for a Habitat home. Although many applicants pay their sweat equity by building homes, others spend time helping with fundraisers or performing clerical tasks. Friends and family members can also donate time. One hundred hours must be completed before a family is allowed to select their own house plan.

“The people selected work very hard and work long hours,” says Brownell. “We want to make sure there is a commitment to the whole program, not just to building one’s own home.” Continues Brownell, “The families are really pleased with their new homes. It’s all theirs. They own it.”

Habitat for Humanity of Mesa County can be reached at 255-9850. Information about the auction home is available from Jennifer Brownell at 245-0550.

Copyright © 2002, Steve & Denise Hight