NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads is teaming up with women from several local companies to build a pair of homes in Norfolk for deserving families.
In the Ballentine Place neighborhood, two 1,500 sq ft. houses each with three bedrooms and two bathrooms are giving low-income families a chance to live out their dream of homeownership.
One of the families selected is Shakera and her daughter. Shakera became familiar with Habitat for Humanity as a child when she helped build her mom’s habitat house. Years later, Habitat was first to come to her mind when she faced unhealthy living conditions.
“I used to stay in some apartments that had mold, but I didn’t know of the mold until I went into my daughter’s room, and it was just all over her shoes, and, like, her clothes were really wet,” said Anderson. “And I’m like, we were getting sick a lot, but I didn’t know why. And then once I seen all the mold everywhere, I was like, okay, this makes sense.”
Shakera applied for Habitat and was accepted. Now she’s putting in her sweat equity, one of the requirements before getting her house built. Homeowners need 200 total volunteer hours, good credit and enrollment in financial management classes to ensure they can maintain the home and its mortgage.
Many other volunteers also come out to help build these houses. Habitat for Humanity has teamed up with Women Build on this particular project.
“There’s a lot of single moms in this area, and a majority of the Habitat homes go to those single mothers,” said Women Build Volunteer/PLS Designer Courtland Morgan. “So, the Women Build is really focusing on that and giving back to the community, giving back to those single mothers and giving them a home for their family.”
To help the newer volunteers are Red Hat volunteers – seasoned volunteers that know how to properly use all the tools and teach others those skills. Daniel has been a Red Hat for 10 years.
“What keeps me coming back is, one the community,” said Red Hat Volunteer Daniel Erb. “Really, What a good feeling. You know that you’re doing affordable homes for people that then can have their own home, to start their family in a good environment.”
Each year, Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads puts four to six local families in their forever homes.