DUMMERSTON — Brattleboro Area Habitat for Humanity is seeking a partner family for an affordable home to be constructed in Dummerston on Rice Farm Road near the Green Iron Bridge over the West River. The home will be one-story with three bedrooms and the possibility of a fourth bedroom in the basement area.
Deadline for applications is Friday, June 24. Application forms are available in Brattleboro at Brooks Memorial Library, Windham & Windsor Housing Trust, Brattleboro Housing Authority, and Youth Services. Applications also can be received by writing to Brattleboro Area Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 114, Brattleboro, VT 05302-0114.
The house was originally built in 1949 and donated to Habitat by Entergy Corp. It was divided into several sections and moved to the Habitat workshop on Putney Road in Brattleboro, where the structure will be completely renovated by Habitat volunteers working alongside members of the partner family.
When renovations are completed, a process expected to take about 18 months, the home will be moved to its site on Quarry Road. The land was donated by The Nature Conservancy, which has conserved about one-square mile in this Black Mountain neighborhood.
It is expected that the monthly cost to own this home will be about $650, including payments on a $100,000 mortgage, property taxes, and insurance. The partner family will pay no interest on the mortgage.
This will be the eighth Habitat for Humanity home in the Brattleboro area. The local habitat organization serves Brattleboro, Dummerston, Guilford, Halifax, Marlboro, Putney, and Vernon, as well as Chesterfield and Hinsdale, N.H. Partner family applicants must be able to show they lived in one of these towns for at least one year.
To meet eligibility requirements, partner family income must be between 50 and 70 percent of the median income for Windham County. For example, the minimum and maximum ranges are: three-person family, $27,500 to $38,500; four-person family, $30,600 to $42,800; five-person family, $33,000 to $46,200.
The partner family also will need to demonstrate a good credit history, and a record of paying rent and utilities, with no current bankruptcies. Each family member over 18 must be willing to contribute 250 hours of sweat equity into construction of the home. If individuals are unable to perform construction tasks, they will be given work within their physical capabilities.
Housing need also must be demonstrated. A requirement is that current housing is sub-standard and unsafe, unsanitary, or overcrowded. It is expected that applicants will not have the financial ability to rent or buy adequate shelter by conventional means, such as a bank loan. If the partner family currently is paying more than 30 percent of total income on modest housing, an application for Habitat housing may be considered.
Completed applications will be reviewed as they are received. Representatives of the Habitat Family Selection Committee will interview applicants who meet the basic requirements for Habitat home ownership.
Volunteers and donations of money and materials support Habitat. If you wish to participate in helping to renovate the Habitat home, call Del Ames at 802-464-3706. Financial contributions can be sent to Brattleboro Area Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 114, Brattleboro, VT 05302-0114.