It rained steadily in Morgan Hill on the morning of Feb. 6. As a
crowd numbering around 100 gathered in front of a formerly vacant
lot on Cory Drive, the clouds lifted and the sun came out just in
time for an important ceremony.
It rained steadily in Morgan Hill on the morning of Feb. 6. As a crowd numbering around 100 gathered in front of a formerly vacant lot on Cory Drive, the clouds lifted and the sun came out just in time for an important ceremony.
At 1 p.m., Habitat for Humanity Silicon Valley began the wall-raising event, which marked a milestone – six new homes to be added to the community.
Housing prices in the Bay Area are notoriously expensive. According to figures released recently, “a household income of over $135,000 is required to purchase a new home in Santa Clara County, and only 18 percent of county residents can afford to buy a median priced home.”
Too many hard-working families are being forced to either rent housing or move to less expensive areas.
After 10 years of planning, the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity is beginning to build homes in Morgan Hill. The Rev. Anita Warner of Advent Lutheran Church, whose congregation is helping to sponsor one of the homes, gave an invocation in which she said the project represents the “faith, hope and love” of the community, using the words of Psalms 90 to ask that God “Prosper the work of our hands.”
Other dignitaries and sponsors spoke at the event:
– Mayor Steve Tate welcomed the 29 residents to their new neighborhood, praising the city’s record for supporting housing for all income levels.
– Officials from real estate firm Coldwell Banker explained the company’s role in fundraising for Habitat projects through the volunteer work of employees. Coldwell Banker was responsible for clearing the building site to prepare it for construction.
– Representatives for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, a Fortune 500 nonprofit membership financial institution, talked about their record of providing 80 percent of the financing and half the volunteers for hundreds of Habitat homes built across the country over the past four years.
Because of the tight housing market in South County, approximately 600 families applied for the six homes available. Those involved had to attend a family selection orientation, submit a formal application, allow home visits, attend interviews and be approved by the Board of Directors. Those selected attended training sessions in home ownership.
All the families selected met these qualifications:
– lived in substandard housing
– met current low income guidelines
– did not qualify for conventional real estate financing
– were permanent residents or U.S. citizens
– agreed to perform 500 hours of “sweat equity” (doing physical labor on their homes)
Once construction is complete, the homes are sold at cost to the homeowner families, and Habitat provides a 30-year, no-interest mortgage. The homes are completely paid for as they are built, so all monthly payments are recycled by habitat to build more homes in the future for other needy families.
Habitat has a “right of first refusal” for sales during the 30-year term. If a family wishes to move, the monthly payments they have made will be refunded to them, and Habitat will resell the home to another qualified family.
Habitat for Humanity Silicon Valley was formed in 1986 and completed its first home in 1991. Since then they have built 50 homes, providing housing for 250 people.
Supported by individuals, churches, corporations, foundations and government agencies, the organization plans to complete another 50 homes in the next 50 years. Upcoming projects include one home in San Jose, four in Cupertino and six in Santa Clara.
At the Morgan Hill wall-raising, Martha Esquivel spoke on behalf of the six families participating in the project. The Postal Service worker has lived in Morgan Hill since she was four years old and currently lives with her 14-year-old daughter and father in a rented mobile home. She believes Morgan Hill is a great location for raising a family and is grateful she won’t have to move to a distant city where housing is less expensive.
Millard and Linda Fuller founded habitat for Humanity International, the parent organization of the Silicon Valley chapter, as a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian ministry in 1976.
It was modeled on a small community in Georgia, Koinonia Farm, where homes were built and sold to families in need at no profit and no interest beginning in 1968. In 1984, the organization achieved a high profile when President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn got involved in the Work Project in New York City. Since then, the Carter family has participated in many such building projects.
According to Erin Spaulding, HHSV Fund Development and Marketing Coordinator, about 25 churches plan to be involved in the project, and the organization expects about 500 volunteers from the faith community.
South County residents can volunteer to work on the Cory project by going to www.habitatsiliconvalley.org/volunteernow.
Due to liability considerations, anyone under 18 years old must bring a parent or guardian along to work.
No specific construction skills are necessary. Tools and hard hats are provided, but volunteers may bring their own. Sturdy shoes or boots and protective eyewear are recommended.
