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Amy Kerin Gains Independance With New Habitat Home

5 Dec

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.

A Day at Habitat – Employee

1 Jun

Connie O’Neal can brighten anyones day. Connie always has a smile on her face and you can hear her laugh throughout the building.

As Director of Family Services, Connie works with the families from the very beginning all the way through until they become homeowners. During this whole process she mentors and educates the families on how to be a homeowner. Since most of the families that enter into the Habitat program are first generation or single families, they do no know the proper steps to owning and taking care of a house. Connie oversees that process to make sure our families get everything they need.

Connie is the main support system to these homeowners. They rely and trust in her. Connie even goes the extra mile to refer the families to career and educational services. The most important part of Connie’s job is to create sustainable homeowners.

Connie says, “There is no typical day for me, but that’s what makes it fun. It is always unpredictable.” Connie admits to having a lot of paperwork and phone calls, but she never knows who is going to come through her office door.

“People are our business. Families come in here with problems and we help them work through it,” said Connie. She also has to do the dirty work of making sure the families are putting in their sweat hours and show up to the job sites.

Connie said her favorite part about her job is the people. Connie loves people. She loves seeing them come into the Habitat program with the dream of being a homeowner and seeing them overcome with joy when they do. “My favorite part is the dedication days, because the families stand up and say ‘I have arrived. I am a homeowner.’ It is full of hope,” said Connie.

Connie, on right, with a family in our program. Check out their story.

“I have learned many things from our homeowners. I would love to just tell everyone about all of their gifts and talents they have to offer.”

To learn more about Connie or our other staff visit our website. If you would like to volunteer or donate please contact Dawn Hjelseth at dstoike@habichatt.org.

Meet Pat and her Grand baby Autiyana

26 May

                Pat Waters and her granddaughter, Autiyana Hester (12), have struggled to get by in their tiny house. Autiyana was born with cerebral palsy, has seizures and is partially deaf. These disabilities limit her to a wheelchair. Pat takes care of her granddaughter, but it is hard to move around their house with the heavy wheelchair. Pat said, “It is hard to push my grand baby because of the carpet floors.” The house they currently live in is old and in bad shape. Also, it is not handicap accessible, so it is unsafe for Autiyana.

                Pat heard about Habitat for Humanity through Gail Pollack, former director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga. Gail came to Pat’s church and taught a class about Habitat, which peaked Pat’s interest. She applied years ago, but was not accepted. Pat decided to reapply in 2010 and was accepted for a new handicap accessible home for her and her granddaughter.

                “I am looking forward to a house that is more accommodating for my grand baby,” said Pat. She is glad that their new house will make it easier and safer to move Autiyana. The house will be designed for Autiyana with wider doorways, ground level entries, a roll in shower, a lift to get her out of her wheelchair into bed, and other special features that will make their lives easier.

                Even though Autiyana does not completely understand what is going on because she is deaf, Pat knows that she will feel the difference in the new home. Pat believes that Autiyana will be excited to feel the smoothness of the floors and how easy it will be to move around in the larger space. Also, Pat is excited about the location of the new home. “It was an answer to prayers that our new home is on a corner lot,” said Pat. She holds meetings at her house for family and friends, so Pat is excited about the accessible parking on the corner lot.

                “I am excited and grateful for such a wonderful, Christian organization,” said Pat. She said she enjoys working with Habitat because of their generous attitudes and love of people. “Like my pastor says, ‘Have better, Live better, Do better,’” said Pat about Habitat’s mission and willingness to help.  

If you would like to help volunteer building a house please contact Dawn Hjelseth at dstoike@habichatt.org. Also visit our website http://www.habichatt.org to find more information about Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area. our projects, and how to donate.

Habitat Myth #4: Our Houses are Ugly!

28 Mar

Today we tackle the last and most common myth about Habitat: the houses are ugly and they bring property values down.

Bringing Property Values Down: False. Housing studies have shown that affordable housing has no adverse effect on the neighborhood’s property values. In fact, Habitat houses have proven to increase property values and local government income tax. In fact, with our new designs and green building techniques, we are raising the property values in most neighborhoods!

Our Houses Are Ugly: FALSE! I could write a whole page on how beautiful our houses are, thanks to new designs and construction techniques by Dennis Neal and the community, but I’ll just let the pictures do the talking.

As you can see from just these examples, our houses are well built and look amazing.  We have designed these homes to be energy efficient, match the neighborhood architecture, and fit the needs of the family. They are simple, beautiful, and affordable.

That wraps up our March Habitat Myth Busters. In case you missed the other posts they are here, here, and here. And if you want to learn other myths and facts about Habitat for Humanity check out Habitat for Humanity International. Learn more Habitat and spread the word about what we are doing in this community.

For more information on applying for a house, donating to current or future builds, or volunteering (in case you missed last week’s post) check out our website: www.habichatt.org

Habitat Myth #3: We only Give Homes to Single African American Mothers

21 Mar

Amy Kerin, Click to Read Her Story

We hear this one a lot in the Chattanooga community. People assume that we only serve minorities, and thus we favor single African-American mothers.

This is not true!

Here is the truth: Habitat builds homes in partnerships with those in need regardless of race, religion or any other differences. Prospective homeowners must meet three criteria, that I already mentioned in the previous post: a need, the ability to repay a mortgage, and the willing to partner. Statistically, 33% of Habitat homeowners are Caucasian and 67% are people of color.  We also have homeowners that are single fathers, mothers and fathers, and young working professionals, as well. We serve lower-income individuals and families in the Chattanooga area, thus our own race and family statistics are similar to that of local, lower-income area.

Zain/Abobaker Family, Click to Read Their Story

So there you have it, another Habitat Myth Exposed – Spread the Word!

Check out the blog next week for the last Habitat Myth Busters Post, it’s my favorite of all them: Habitat houses are ugly and reduce the value of the neighborhood.

If you missed the past two busted Myths, check these out: We give homes away & We are Land Lords .

For more information about the requirements to partner with Habitat check out our website.

Hullender Family brochure

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