Habitat given extension to complete homes
By JOE L. HUGHES II Ledger Staff Writer joe@gaffneyledger.com

Habitat for Humanity of Cherokee County has already begun construction on 4 of the 5 proposed homes required per a $375,000 infrastructure grant. The project is slated to be completed in June.

Habitat for Humanity of Cherokee County now has more time to complete five homes and still satisfy the terms of a $375,000 infrastructure grant.

The organization was facing a Dec. 31 deadline to finish the homes in its Hope Acres subdivision. The homes are now expected to be finished by the end of June.

"The total project has not been completed," local Habitat director Christa Smith. "Workers are beginning work on one of the homes right now with infrastructure and other improvements on their way within the next few months."

The extension gives Smith and others at Habitat an opportunity to finish the search for potential homeowners.

"We have already determined the families who will be living in at least three of the homes, but still two additional families are needed for this to come full circle," Smith said.

Habitat for Humanity selects the homeowners through a rigorous application and screening process. Homeowners pay back the no-interest loans over a period of years and are required to spend at least 100 "sweat equity" hours working with volunteers to build the houses.

Smith now has six more months to conduct fundraisers, which are crucial to the organization and development of Habitat home projects.

Habitat's primary fundraiser, its annual bike rally, is scheduled for June.

"Fundraisers are a very important part of what we do at Habitat," Smith said. "We at this moment are in the process of trying to find new ways to fund these homes as well as those that come after.

"There are families all over this county in desperate need of somewhere to live. With Habitat's help, I believe there is a lot for them to look forward to."