DREAM REALIZED FIVE FAMILIES BEGIN LIFE IN NEW HABITAT HOMES.

Byline: LISA M. SODDERS Staff Writer

PACOIMA -- Truck driver Luis Fernandez calls the Habitat for Humanity program ``straight from heaven.''

Fernandez, 24, wife Tereza, 25, and daughters Prizila, 4, and Rebekah, 1, had been living in a converted San Fernando garage before they moved into a new duplex-style home they helped build.

Breaking down in tears, Luis Fernandez thanked the volunteers who had helped the family build their home, saying they were ``truly men of God ... and someday, I hope to give back like you gave here.

``You've given my princesses and my queen -- and this king -- our very own castle,'' he said.

The Fernandezes were among five low-income families who on Saturday got a warm ``welcome home'' from Habitat for Humanity volunteers at a dedication ceremony at their new homes.

The gated subdivision, which eventually will have 62 homes, is located across the street from Maclay Middle School in Pacoima.

Before the city purchased the land and sold it to Habitat, it was covered with dilapidated homes and was a haven for drug dealers and prostitutes, said Gerhard Runken, director of fundraising for the Habitat for Humanity, San Fernando/Santa Clarita Valleys chapter.

Today, the site has 20 homes, mainly three- to four-bedroom duplexes, and more than a dozen more are planned for Phase II, said Tom Neary, past president and a member of the board of directors for the Habitat chapter.

Habitat receives no federal funding, and relies on volunteers, corporate financial and in-kind donations and support from religious groups and other community organizations, Runken said.

At Saturday's celebration, each family was given a Bible and two huge baskets of gifts, one from the Stephen S. Wise Temple and one -- which included a new coffeemaker -- from Starbucks.

The high cost of real estate, as well as housing materials, makes it difficult for Habitat to add more houses, Runken said. But the need for affordable housing, particularly in Los Angeles, continues to grow.

More than 420 people applied for the homes, said Lyn Rauls, interim executive director. Applicants, most of whom earn less than $35,000 a year, must be employed, have good credit and be able to pay the mortgage. The five families who were selected paid 1 percent of the purchase price -- typically around $250,000 -- and got no-interest home loans.

But first the new homeowners had to provide 500 hours of ``sweat equity,'' helping to build their own home and those of their neighbors.

``We're giving an opportunity to families who could never have had this wonderful piece of the American Dream,'' Runken said. ``It's not a hand-out. It's a hand up.''

For the Fernandez, Gonzalez, Gutierrez, Hernandez and Villalobos families, it was a dream come true as they became homeowners.

The Fernandez family are the first in their families to become homeowners.

``Now we have the ability to put away some savings for a college fund,'' Luis said.

Tereza Fernandez was a little daunted at first by the ``sweat equity'' requirement, because she had never done any construction.

``Now I know how to paint and put in insulation,'' she said proudly.

``Every time I look at the house or look at the fence, I remember the time I did that.''

Habitat volunteers said helping low-income families become homeowners strengthens the city as a whole, helping to lift families out of poverty and leading to increased community stability and active citizenship.

Rauls said many of the volunteers earn too much money to qualify for the Habitat program, but can't afford a home in Los Angeles on their own. Yet, they still donate their time and effort to build a house for families who are less fortunate than they.

Patrick Hall, chairman for Habitat's family support committee, said he loves to see how putting families in homes makes a life-changing difference for their children.

``It's a future for these kids,'' Hall said. ``This is a safe place for them.''

Manny Hernandez, 16, agreed, saying he felt much safer in his new Habitat home than in the one-bedroom North Hills apartment he shared with his parents, Maria and Manual Hernandez; his grandmother, Petrona, 72; and his brother, Melvin, 11. Now a student at Monroe High School, he dreams of someday of becoming a chef.

``It's just better for the children,'' Maria Hernandez sighed happily, speaking in Spanish. ``We were too crowded.''

lisa.sodders(at)dailynews.com

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CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) Dozens of homes are slated to be built on this site being developed by Habitat for Humanity. Five low-income families were welcomed into their new homes Saturday.

(2) The Fernandez family -- Luis, holding Prizila, left, and Tereza, holding Rebekah -- stand in front of their new Habitat for Humanity home in Pacoima on Saturday.

John McCoy/Staff Photographer