Habitat
for Humanity
plans new Thurmont home
By Nicole Belanger
Contributing Writer
Ground
was broken Oct. 18 on a lot near Thurmont where a family will
finally realize their dream of owning a home, thanks to the
Habitat for Humanity program.
This
site, which is on Blue Mountain Road, was offered to the organization
at a reduced price, thanks to a donation by the landowner,
said Romey Brooks, public relations director for the Frederick
office of Habitat for Humanity.
Although
no family has been selected yet, the nonprofit organization
is going through a selection process to determine which family
will be the proud new homeowners, Brooks said.
Families
are selected for the program based on their income and likely
success as future homeowners. They then receive zero-interest
mortgages for the lower-cost home.
Two businesses,
Citigroup and Freddie Mac, donated $110,000 for the purchase
of the land and the building materials for the home. Employees
from both groups as well as local volunteers and the family
members themselves will pitch in to build the home.
Before
construction begins, engineers will evaluate the site and
determine what needs to be done. Habitat officials expect
that a new well and septic system will need to be installed
before building begins.
Kent
Adcock, the executive director of the Frederick chapter of
Habitat for Humanity, believes these donations show that businesses
are concerned about the lack of affordable housing in this
booming area.
This
is the 24th home the organization has helped build in Frederick
County. Currently Habitat is finishing a home near Emmitsburg,
scheduled to be completed by Thanksgiving.
The Thurmont
home is expected to be finished by spring of 2006.
