Homes for the holidays
Habitat needs donations for new construction
By BARRY HALVORSON bhalvorson@journal-spectator.com

Photo by Raymond Fisher Members of the Wharton High School Interact Club spend time working on the Habitat For Humanity project last Saturday. The is the third house to be built in Wharton through the organization's efforts.

If you're looking for a different way to contribute to the community during the upcoming holiday season, or any time of the year, David Samuelson recommends giving your time or making a donation toward building a new home for a deserving family.

The newly elected volunteer executive director of the East Wharton Habitat for Humanity, Samuelson said working on a habitat home is something a person has to experience to truly appreciate.

"I can't even describe how wonderful it feels to see a family move into a new home," he said. "We have moved some people from some deplorable situations that you wouldn't believe. And they are good families that are not looking for a hand out, but for a hand up."

Because of safety concerns, Samuelson said only volunteers age 16 and older are allowed on the work site. And those ages 16 to 18 are required to have their parents sign a waiver before starting work.

"We use nail guns, power saws and some other tools that can be dangerous if not handled correctly," Samuelson said. "So everyone has to sign a liability waiver. I would encourage families to help with the work, but they need to leave younger children at home."

For those unable to find the time to put in the "sweat equity" to work on site, Samuelson said a donation to the organization is always appreciated and is tax-deductible.

"We don't receive any money from Habitat International," he said. "We have to raise all our funds locally."

While Habitat relies heavily on a core group of eight to nine members, Samuelson said you can find anywhere from 15 to 20 people working each Saturday.

"We've had a lot of different groups come and work with us," he said. "Last weekend (Nov. 17) the WHS Interact Club was out and we regularly get groups from local churches. We even got a volunteer group from the local Wal-Mart."

The local Habitat Chapter was approved in 2004 and completed its first home in 2006 in the 400 block of South Sheppard. The second was completed earlier this year with the third under construction with a Spring 2008 completion date. All three homes are located on adjacent lots.

"The city donated the three lots to Habitat," Samuelson said.

The home currently under construction is for the family of Clarence Manciaz.

"He's a hard working guy," Samuelson said. "He was a diesel mechanic before he was involved in a car wreck in which his wife was killed. He's also got two teenage kids. He can walk but has limited mobility and is out there almost every week. He's required to put in 200 hours of 'sweat equity' and he's already done 160 of those."

In keeping with the "hand up" theory, Samuelson stressed the homes are not gifts and that the families have to not only work on the homes, but also pay full price for them.

"They have to pay full price for the materials but not the labor, which is contributed," Samuelson said.

"They also have to pay the escrow fees, insurance and property taxes.

"Habitat serves as the mortgage company providing a zero interest loan, usually for 20 to 25 years, with about half of each payment going toward taxes and insurance and half to paying off the debt."

Samuelson said the group uses HUD criteria as a starting place for screening families and then add some of its own conditions. Those include:

• A need for shelter

• The ability to make payments (regular employment)

• An acceptable credit rating

• Sweat equity

• Attendance at homeowner classes

• Be a citizen or permanent resident of Wharton County for at least a year before making the application

After completing their third Wharton home, Samuelson said the next project will be built in Boling on one of two lots owned by the group.

The lots were purchased with grant funds. He added that eventually the group also intends to build at least one home each in East Bernard and Hungerford.

"We're East Wharton County, so we'd like to build in all the communities we can," Samuelson said.

"But we're limited to those areas were there is water and sewer available. Building a water pump and putting in a septic system simply adds more to the cost than we can afford."

Samuelson said the organization has enough funds available to complete the current project and two Boling houses.

"We had a Gala Fundraiser last year with Frank Sinatra Jr. headlining so we've got some money in the bank," he said. "But the idea is to be able to sustain the work and build a house each year. At least that's the goal set for us by Habitat International.

"So we're always looking for donations or fund-raising possibilities in the communities we serve."

The former president of the local Habitat Chapter, Samuelson was elected its first executive director during a regular meeting held Monday night. Glen Dyer was voted in as the new president while Mark Lowry will serve as vice-president. Retaining their offices were Secretary Dale Watkins and Treasurer Joan Andel.

New board members elected during the meeting were Doug Amerson and Joy Wuthrich.

For information on Habitat, contact their Website at www. habitatewc.com.

Copies of the waiver forms are available on the site and can be downloaded in advance as well as a weekly work schedule.

Tax-deductible donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 451, Wharton, Texas 77488.