CRESTVIEW—Building homes is nothing new for Habitat for Humanity Okaloosa County. The nonprofit is currently working on its 58th home in the area.
The site at 582 S. Savage St. is being sponsored by Gulf Power through a grant program. The utility company has partnered with Habitat on about three projects, according to the regional nonprofit’s Community Outreach Director Melissa Litscher.
The organization builds about 2.5 homes each year, Litscher said. The completion process for each home is about six months and takes the work of 600-700 volunteers.
These volunteers come from various backgrounds and become involved with Habitat through different means. Help is enlisted from local businesses, churches and the military. Volunteers of all skill levels can contribute their time to the building process. Building volunteers must be at least 16 years old but other opportunities are available for individuals as young as 13.
The typical day for a Habitat volunteer begins with a morning meeting to discuss the day’s projects or tasks, according to Litscher. From there, more experienced volunteers take charge of those less experienced and teach them the skill they need for the day.
Aside from Gulf Power, Habitat affords construction projects with the help of individual donors, business sponsorships and its two area ReStore locations in Fort Walton and Crestview. Homes are built on land the organization has acquired through donation or purchase.
Contrary to the belief of some, Habitat homes are not given away.
“Homeowners buy at cost of construction, not appraised value,” Litscher said. The approved families are offered a zero percent mortgage and complete 300 hours of “sweat equity,” she added. Sweat equity is a Habitat form of community service that can include time at a ReStore location, building homes or select financial management classes.
Other requirements for ownership include having existing unhealthy or unsafe living conditions, financial strain, a $500 down payment and living or working in Okaloosa County for at least one year, according to the organization’s website.
Habitat opens the housing application process occasionally and allows between three and five people to be approved before closing it, Litscher said. This ensures applicants will receive housing in a timely matter.
Visit www.habitatfwb.org for more information on volunteering, donating or homeownership.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Hub City's latest Habitat for Humanity home under construction