Board Member Thomas Clark presents Amy Kerin the key to her new Habitat Home as Guinness (Center) looks on. A few moments later Guinness was present his own key - to a high-tech pet door that will allow him to enter and access the home, while blocking other animals!
Friends and family of Amy Kerin gathered to celebrate the completion of her new fully handicapped accessible Habitat for Humanity home this past Saturday thanks to the support of community volunteers, the City of Chattanooga’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program and the Coming Back Home partnership between the Tennessee Housing Development Agency and Habitat for Humanity of Tennessee.
Over the years, the design of the apartments where she has lived has presented many challenges for Amy who was born with Spina Bifida, and has always needed a wheelchair. When she was younger she was able to be more independent, but due to time and increased pain, she now needs assistance with the tasks of daily living and must wait for help. “There is a real difference between places that are ‘accessible’ to those of us in wheelchairs, and those that are ‘functional,’ for us,” Amy says.
Even if she can get into an apartment or home, she can’t be independent because of the height of counter tops, cabinets and the stove, and she also has to have assistance to shower. “The only way to be independent is to have a house built to be functional for you,” says Amy. “But on a limited income that is not going to happen.” “I had always known about Habitat, but one morning I woke up and said ‘I’m calling Habitat to see about getting a house, ’” she said. Amy completed the application process and was accepted into the program.
Construction on the home began in mid-June, and the home is now complete -a dedication ceremony was held Saturday December 3.
Amy’s home contains a variety of modifications to make it work for her, including a front loading washer and dryer, lowered cabinets, roll-in shower, 0 grade entrance and deck, lowered light switches and a high tech pet door for Guinness,
“We are grateful to the City of Chattanooga, to Habitat for Humanity of Tennessee and to the Tennessee Housing Development Agency for their financial support of this effort,” says Pete Palmer, Habitat’s Executive Director. “Many people like Amy struggle with not just affordable housing, but with housing that is adapted to allow them to live full and independent lives. This home is a great example of the difference that can be made when our community, volunteers, and state and federal resources come together.”
Amy Kerin's home is accessible for her and her service dog Guinness, and will allow her to live independantly.
Amy’s home is one of 45 being built across the state through the Coming Back Homeinitiative. Habitat for Humanity of Tennessee, an organization supporting the 51 Habitat affiliates 
serving 63 counties in our state, received a $1 million grant from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency’s (THDA) Housing Trust Fund toward the construction of 45 Habitat for Humanity homes across the state. An estimated 165 children and adults will live in affordable, new and quality built homes they own while making monthly home loan payments to Habitat that are used to build even more homes. The home is also one of seven being constructed in Chattanooga by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area in partnership with the City of Chattanooga, Department of Neighborhood Services and Community Development’s Neighborhood Stabilization Project under Mayor Ron Littlefield.
- Pat Waters shares some thoughts with Amy during the Dedication service. Pat’s own home, adapeted to care for her disabled grandaughter will be dedication this coming Saturday.
Additional donations of materials or services were generously provided by Bowman Construction Company, Custom Closets, Dow Chemical, Noland Company, Rev. Lou and Dr. Mark Parsons, Quickdrain USA, Rock Point Community Church, Square D, UBS Financial Services, James Stacey/ Home Journey Consulting, Valspar Paint, Whirlpool, and Yale Locks.
