The Prescott Area Habitat for Humanity (PAHH) affiliate, by assisting people in building homes, is helping them break the cycle of poverty and build long-term financial security.
It has been doing that for almost 25 years.
This month, it completes its 75th house in the Quad Cities area.
The 1,400-square-foot single story home with an attached garage is in Prescott Valley. It is valued at approximately $154,000 and soon will be the residence of single mother Kendra Telford and her five children.
Because of her successful application, and after completing hundreds of arduous “sweat equity” hours and sustaining a solid employment background, Telford will soon join the ranks of Habitat homeowners making regular mortgage payments.
The construction of Telford’s home was funded in large part by a grant from Thrivent Financial. Thrivent works with Habitat for Humanity nationally in a multiyear, multimillion-dollar partnership that builds simple, decent affordable homes for families in need.
Since 2007, PAHH has received five Thrivent Builds Homes grants.
Telford’s success story with PAHH is the most recent. Other home ownership stories really began in 1990, with the founding of the local affiliate and construction of the first house.
“We’re exceptionally proud of Kendra and what she has accomplished to become a home owner,” said Miriam Haubrich, executive director of PAHH. “But throughout the greater community, we’ve built homes to accommodate 125 adults and 202 children during the past quarter century. We’re gratified to help them in their dream of a home to call their own.”
Haubrich, in her 24th year as an administrator with PAHH, emphasizes that Habitat for Humanity houses “…are not gifts or giveaways to anyone. In fact, our screening of applicants is as rigorous – maybe more so – than any you will find in most financial institutions.”
She explained that all homeowners of PAHH houses are obligated to pay a mortgage. The big difference is that mortgage holders do not pay interest.
“We view this process as key to fulfilling our mission as a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing organization that sees home ownership as a means to break the cycle of poverty,” she said. “Only applicants who meet stringent application criteria are considered for a Habitat home.”
Applying for a PAHH Home
Initial requirements stipulate that applicants must have lived in the Prescott area for a minimum of one year. They must not have owned any real property for the past two years. They also must not have filed for bankruptcy in the past two years.
If they meet these conditions, those interested in applying first must take several steps:
- Contact the PAHH office to be put on an interest list.
- Attend an intensive orientation meeting that details basic requirements for applications.
- If they meet basic requirements, they then must submit to detailed financial and personal interviews. The criteria applied by PAHH do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, age, handicaps, religion, marital status or because all or part of an applicant’s income is derived from public assistance programs.
- Primary applicants must be citizens or permanent legal residents of the United States.
- If accepted, applicants can receive an interest-free loan for up to 30 years, but they must show the ability to make a monthly mortgage payment. They must meet no less than minimum gross annual income standards established by PAHH.
- If accepted, each adult in the family must also agree to complete a minimum of 250 hours of “sweat equity” in the home construction process.
PAHH Administration Governed by Volunteer Board of Directors
Haubrich reports to a 12-member volunteer board representative of diverse interests throughout the greater community. Many of the PAHH responsibilities are handled through board-appointed committees, including the review of applications.
Haubrich, who earned a master’s degree in public administration from Northern Arizona University, supervises a team that handles fiscal matters in the main office, resource development and home construction.
It is critical to note that through the State of Arizona Registrar of Contractors, the PAHH is now licensed as a “General Residential Contractor.”
A key position is that of the Re-Store manager. Patrick Holt manages The Habitat Re-Store, a home supply retail operation located in a 14,000-square-foot building at 1061 Commerce Drive. It sells both new and used home furnishings and construction materials, which have been contributed by various businesses or individuals.
Haubrich and the board are proud that revenue from Habitat Re-Store pays the majority of the PAHH administrative costs.
“That means most the donations to PAHH through fundraising, grants, events and state tax credits go directly to building homes,” Haubrich said.
Two major local fundraisers are the annual fall Tuxedos and Toolbelts Gala, and the spring “Golf Fore Homes” tournament at Antelope Hills Golf Course. The gala was so successful that it generated enough money to build a house.
A key staff member is Gail Martin, who directs Volunteer Services. “This past year, we have 180 people from throughout the county who volunteered to help with PAHH efforts. We think that’s terrific, but we can always use more. Those who want to can contact me at 928-445-8003, extension 14,” she said.
Volunteers Make the Difference
“Volunteers are integral to our success. Without them, PAHH could not function,” Martin emphasized.
Certainly, volunteers have moved the Telford home along. What’s more, some might be surprised to learn that a leading volunteer on the Telford house is a Prescott Valley Town Council member.
Marty Grossman, who moved to Prescott Valley from Manhattan, N.Y., has contributed his time and skill for more than four years. In fact, PAHH Construction Manager Tommy Savoini, a major player in the PAHH success story, calls Grossman the “Tool Manager.”
“I so believe in what Habitat for Humanity and its supporters do for our Quad Cities communities that I volunteer several hours every week on construction projects,” Grossman said. “I think that’s part of my civic responsibility.”
Grossman’s attitude was echoed by other volunteers who were hanging sheetrock – Joe Morley and Kurt Unverricht from Prescott, and Charlotte Willman from Prescott Valley.
“It’s hard work, and I get tired. But know what? It makes me feel as if I’ve done something important for a fellow citizen,” one of them said.
Executive Director Haubrich agrees. “My fervent hope is that we can expand our home building throughout the area and let people know they can transform their lives.” QCBN
By Ray Newton
Quad Cities Business News
Haubrich can be reached through her office at PAHH, 1230 Willow Creek Road, Prescott, AZ 86301, by phone at 928 445-8003 or by email at [email protected].
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