A PLACE TO CALL HOME FOUR MORE FAMILIES GET HABITAT ABODES.Byline: Cortney Fielding Staff Writer PACOIMA - During years of living in apartments and staying with relatives, Latina Davis dreamed of the little things she could do as a homeowner - drill holes in the walls for shelving units and paint the bedroom for her two children. Two months ago, Habitat for Humanity Habitat for Humanity, nonprofit ecumenical Christian organization that enables low-income people to own affordable, livable housing. Headquartered in Americus, Ga., it was founded in 1976 by businessman Millard Fuller and his wife. handed Davis, her daughter Tenea and son Diamon the keys to a three-bedroom duplex in Pacoima. And for the first time, Davis' walls are truly her own. ``I just want to be able to do something permanent in my home,'' said Davis, a 29-year-old construction administrator. The Davises are among the four families who will own homes dedicated Saturday by the San Fernando/Santa Clarita Valley Chapter of Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit organization Nonprofit Organization An association that is given tax-free status. Donations to a non-profit organization are often tax deductible as well. Notes: Examples of non-profit organizations are charities, hospitals and schools. that builds homes for low-income residents. About 50 volunteers, financial sponsors and friends gathered in front of the neat community of pastel green and peach duplexes to celebrate the achievement. One by one, the new homeowners expressed their thanks to the crowd and received housewarming house·warm·ing n. A celebration of the occupancy of a new home. Noun 1. housewarming - a party of people assembled to celebrate moving into a new home presents - a Bible, a potted plant, a Starbucks coffee maker and a gift basket A gift basket, or fruit basket is typically a gift that is delivered to the recipient at their home or workplace. There are different varieties of gift baskets, some which have fruit only, some with dry/canned goods only (such as tea, crackers and jam) although the standard from a local temple. ``Thank you, guys, you guys really helped my parents,'' Emily Martinez told the crowd on behalf of her parents, Mario and Annabel. In a few weeks, the close-knit Martinez family will move from their cramped Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. apartment to a more spacious home, complete with living and dining rooms, in the gated community gat·ed community n. A subdivision or neighborhood, often surrounded by a barrier, to which entry is restricted to residents and their guests. . While they are the only family who hasn't yet moved in, the delay is barely a blip on the radar after waiting an entire lifetime for the chance to own a home, Mario Martinez Mario Martinez can be:
``I used to imagine owning my own home. But as the years went by it seemed impossible. This is a blessing,'' he said. A dozen families now live in the duplexes that Habitat for Humanity has built on Pierce Street, and seven others are still waiting for their homes in the 20-unit complex to be completed. Each two-unit building cost an estimated $200,000 to build, excluding the cost of land and property taxes. Volunteers stress that while Habitat makes the homes available to families who would otherwise not be able to own them, the houses are not free. Each family must help build their home, putting in at least 450 to 500 hours of ``sweat equity Sweat Equity The equity that is created in a company or some other asset as a direct result of hard work by the owner(s). Notes: For example, rebuilding the engine on your 1968 Mustang to increase its value. ,'' which means getting up at 6 a.m. on Saturdays to hammer and nail, install drywall and paint window frames. ``This is a hand-up, not a hand out,'' said volunteer Patrick Hall This article is about the British politician. For the American Idol contestant, see Patrick Hall (singer). Patrick Hall (born October 20, 1951) is a British politician. He is the Labour Party Member of Parliament for Bedford and Kempston. . The families are responsible for paying their own mortgage, which is provided at zero interest through the nonprofit agency. While the amount each family pays is based on its size and income, the average family of four ends up paying about $850 a month to live in the new Pacoima homes. The application process can be long and arduous. Davis applied in 1999 and was finally approved in 2002, after paying off debts and getting her credit in order. ``It was a struggle,'' she said. Sometimes the only thing that kept her going were the two children asking her when they would get their own rooms. But the years of working for her home are behind her. Now it's time It's Time was a successful political campaign run by the Australian Labor Party (ALP) under Gough Whitlam at the 1972 election in Australia. Campaigning on the perceived need for change after 23 years of conservative (Liberal Party of Australia) government, Labor put forward a to hang those shelves. CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1) Work is still under way at some of the new Habitat for Humanity homes in Pacoima. (2) Pat Hall of Habitat for Humanity hands the Cabreras the key to their Pacoima home during a dedication ceremony Saturday. Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News |
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