THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 20, 1996 TAG: 9609190161
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALEXIS M. SMITH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 48 lines
Two Virginia Beach families are moving into new homes of their own this week.
The houses, the first townhomes built by Habitat for Humanity in Virginia Beach, were dedicated last Sunday and the new residents were planning to begin moving in right away.
The construction began near the Oceanfront on 16th Street in March and was completed by volunteers from 15 Virginia Beach churches and Virginia Beach school students in the Technical and Career Education Center building trades classes.
``It takes hundreds of adults, students and instructors, suppliers and professionals and city agencies cooperating to complete the project,'' said Sylvia Hallock, executive director of Habitat for Humanity.
Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, 20-year-old, worldwide organization that provides interest-free homes for low-income families and individuals and has been at work in this area since 1988. Since its inception, 34 homes for low income families have been built locally.
Once the home is built and ready for occupancy it does not come free to new residents. They must make installment payments of $200 a month toward the principal until building construction and property are paid off.
The new two-story townhomes are valued by Habitat at around $45,000 each, and are priced according to the average Habitat building cost in this area. One of the new units has two bedrooms and the other has three. Each has a living/dining room area, 1 1/2 baths and a kitchen.
``These homes took six months to complete and will help improve the appearance of the neighborhoods they are located in,'' Hallock said.
``We're rebuilding lives one home at a time.''
The next project is scheduled to begin in October in the Oceana section. The plan is to build at least one home every year thereafter.
For information, call 625-1281. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by DAVID B. HOLLINGSWORTH
These two new, two-story townhomes on 16th Street at the Oceanfront
are valued by Habitat at around $45,000 each. One of the new units
has two bedrooms and the other has three. Each has a living/dining
room area, 1 1/2 baths and a kitchen.
KEYWORDS: HABITAT FOR HUMANITY by CNB