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Making a Habitat in Williams<br>

The Williams Habitat for Humanity currently owns this property on the southeast corner of McPherson Avenue and South Fifth Street. Habitat members hope to build a home at this location in the near future.

The Williams branch began in 1995 by constructing sheds and doll/playhouses that were raffled off as fund-raisers for the group so it could eventually start building homes.

Throughout the years, the Williams Habitat for Humanity has been responsible for doing many repair projects — such as home weatherization, roof repair, porch repair and more — made possible by labor and material donations from both local and out-of-town contractors and merchants.

Habitat fund-raisers also come in the form of events like the Grand Opry Night on the Sept. 17 at the rodeo barn and the upcoming Kevin Twitty Memorial Golf Tournament at the Elephant Rocks Golf Course on Oct. 8.

Williams Habitat members are hoping that proceeds from the two, state-branch Habitat for Humanity funds, plus commitments from contractors and merchants will be enough to start building a house on a lot they’ve already purchased. Some have already committed themselves and/or their services. Local contractors from Static Electric will provide all electrical work, Whirlpool donates appliances, Home Depot provides materials at cost, and Habitat might be receiving help from others such as L.P.’s Excavating.

First, though, to determine the size and layout of the house, Williams Habitat will have to search for and choose a qualifying family or individual.

Since this will be the branch’s first house, exact criteria is still currently being established to fit the parameters of the area’s economy, however, Habitat for Humanity International demands that a Habitat home be the absolute last resort for those looking for their own house. That means the qualifying family/individual must exhaust all available resources and have been either turned away or simply can’t afford the usual avenues of home ownership.

The qualifying family/individual must also provide “sweat equity” in the home, meaning that they must have some part in the physical construction of the property. Those who are able-bodied are expected to pick up a hammer and go to work, but the young, the elderly, and/or the disabled can provide sweat equity simply by providing beverages for the work crews, cleaning up trash and debris, and other non-strenuous but necessary duties. The sweat equity comes with an invisible, but important payoff.

“They (homeowners) are more proud of the place since they had a hand in building it,” explains Bud Parenteau, who along with Eleanor Addison, are the only two remaining original members on the 15-person Williams Habitat for Humanity governing board.

Finally, the home is not free. Habitat will determine the cost of the structure based on local economic factors and will act as the lender. Homeowners are required to make interest-free payments on the home, so that Habitat for Humanity can go on to build more homes for other families in need.

Currently, the Williams Habitat is looking to fill a few more volunteer slots. Those wishing to do so or those wanting more information about qualifying for a home are invited to call current Williams Habitat President Pam Hendrickson at 635-0902, or Bud Parenteau at 635-4393.


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