Winter will have to come and go before shovels will penetrate the dirt on the lot located at Ohio & 9th Street, but there’s plenty of work to be done indoors as Marquette and Habitat for Humanity prepare to construct a new home. The two organizations have begun their search for a family to take ownership of the home, which figures to be completed in late spring of 2019. In fact, Marquette and Habitat for Humanity hope to identify that family before Christmas. One of the many benefits of taking ownership of a Habitat for Humanity home is that the selected family has input into the layout of the home, including furnishings and decor. Both Marquette and Habitat for Humanity aim for this project to yield long-term success. The home and Ohio and 9th will be the 53rd that LaPorte County Habitat for Humanity has assisted in building. Not one of the previous 52 housed a family that attempted to sell the home sooner than 15 years from the original move-in date.
The criteria for the potential family is as follows:
the need for better housing and desire to own a home
not currently have a mortgage
the ability to repay the Habitat mortgage loan
the willingness to partner with Habitat for Humanity and Marquette
live or work in LaPorte County for the past 12 months
two years must have passed since bankruptcy was discharged
be a United States citizen or have permanent residency
home buyer families must complete 250 hours of sweat equity per adult by attending home-ownership and financial literacy classes, building Habitat homes and participating in Habitat events and functions
home buyer families must also meet Habitat’s Income Guidelines
Construction will begin in the spring (weather-pending) with Marquette students volunteering their time and services. Depending on the family, the home will contain either two or three bedrooms. If you, or any family you know are interested in applying, please contact President White at jwhite@marquette-hs.org.