THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 7, 1996 TAG: 9603050112
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SCOTT McCASKEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
The family members all wore wide grins as they stood on the front porch of their future home.
For Richard and Eula Spruill and seven of their eight children, the gathering marked a big moment, the realization that they soon would be leaving a rental unit for a place of their own.
On Feb. 28 the house at 3115 Dunkirk Ave. was officially presented to the Spruill family. The property is being made available by South Hampton Roads Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit organization that forms community partnerships to provide home ownership for low-income residents.
``I applied for this three or four years ago,'' said Richard Spruill, surrounded by a crowd of Habitat for Humanity personnel, ``but I didn't think it would be possible.''
The approximately 2,000-square-foot house in Norfolk's Fairmount Park section is a step up from the Spruills' present dwelling near Cavalier Manor in Portsmouth.
``Our house now is kind of cramped for a family of 10,'' Spruill said. ``This is bigger, and I think it's in a safer neighborhood.''
The family's future residence will require considerable renovation. The move-in time tentatively is set for early summer. The Spruills initially will pay a rent fee and help work on the house for a year before they receive title of ownership and assume an interest-free mortgage.
The Habitat for Humanity partnership relies on the support of businesses, churches, corporations and individuals. The Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Association often donates the land for Habitat homes.
Since 1988, South Hampton Roads Habitat for Humanity has provided houses for 35 families. The vast majority of dwellings are built from the ground up, costing about $35,000 each. The Spruill house is expected to be renovated for about $15,000.
The nature of the Habitat process can mean protracted dealings.
``It took over a year just to get all the partners together for this,'' said Sylvia Hallock, executive director for South Hampton Roads Habitat for Humanity.
``We've been at our other home for about 10 years,'' Eula Spruill said. ``We'll take the time to do this right.''
Crestar Bank, Broyles Construction and Clarke Thrasher Construction are among the major partners providing money, materials and labor for the Spruill house. Virginia Home-Garden-Leisure magazine has enlisted several of its advertisers to provide support, including The Kitchen Center, Lawn Doctor of Kempsville and Virginia-Carolina Electric Sales.
Clark Olsen, a past president of the Habitat organization and publisher of Virginia Home-Garden-Leisure magazine, said: ``The project is tapping into a broader base of support than usual.''
But the Spruill home is not a gift. The low-income classification generally limits a family of four to an annual income of $20,000 a year or less, adjusted for family size. Although the mortgage is interest free, applicants must have reasonable credit or have made an earnest effort to correct past credit problems. A strong willingness to work within the partnership also is a requirement. Owners must contribute at least 400 ``sweat hours,'' laboring on their own dwelling or at other Habitat sites.
``The Spruills have a lot of arms and hands to contribute,'' said Autrice Campbell, assistant vice president with Crestar Bank.
Although the family was approved for the home more than a year and a half ago, it took several months to find a site that could accommodate 10 people. The house was donated to the Habitat organization in December 1994 by owner Alta Meroney.
Last week's ceremony marked only the second time that the Spruill couple had been inside the house, but Richard Spruill, 52, a retired warehouseman from the Naval Supply Center in Norfolk, is ready to go to work.
``I'll be trying to help with whatever my hands can do,'' he said. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by SCOTT McCASKEY
Nine of the 10 members of the Spruill family stand in front of their
future home.
by CNB