Habitat promises new home for Franklin family in need
On Highway 59 near the Marion County line, a house waits to become a new home for a Franklin County family.
It will take renovation by Habitat for Humanity and a crew of volunteers to make it happen, but the application period is open for a Franklin County family in need.
The house, Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Alabama Resource Director Teressa Clark said, belonged to a family that lives in Virginia.
“They decided they needed to do something with it,” Clark said. “This is going to be our first rehab … We’re very excited about it. We’re tickled.”
Families interested in applying to live in the house, which should be completely renovated before mid-2017, are required to make a reservation to attend one of two applicant orientation sessions: Oct. 23, 2 p.m., at People’s Trust Bank, 34888 U.S. Highway 43, in Hackleburg, or Oct. 27, 6 p.m., at Phil Campbell Community Center, 132 Sherry Bryce Drive, in Phil Campbell.
Clark said Habitat, with the help of volunteers as well as sweat equity from the family selected, will gut the inside of the house and upgrade it, including improving energy efficiency, replacing paneling with sheetrock and updating appliances, among other improvements. Landscaping will also be part of the upgrade.
A group of students from the University of Alabama will help kick off rehab at the end of October as part of an alternative spring break program. SEC Compact students will also volunteer during the rehab, along with a group from the nearby Wrangler plant. Clark said they hope to have the home ready by spring. “Of course that all depends on resources, money and volunteers,” Clark said.
A number of qualifications will help determine the pool of applicants. “They have to be first-time homeowners,” Clark said, and the family must also demonstrate need. “In other words, maybe they are living in the housing authority, (dealing with) overcrowding or living in a home that might not be safe … Usually people don’t have a hard time meeting the (requirement of need).”
Other requirements include reasonable financial stability, including a reliable income.
“The main thing we’re looking for is that they can afford to pay the mortgage,” Clark said.
The family that demonstrates the greatest need while meeting all criteria will qualify as Partner Family for the new home.
The home in question is a three-bedroom, two-bath.
There are a limited number of seats available at each orientation session, and reservations are required. Attendees must also bring a completed application packet to orientation. To RSVP or for more information, call 205-468-2900 or email contactus@nwalhabitat.org.
