OUTLET: WAVY

SUFFOLK, Va.— Habitat for Humanity South Hampton Roads is building nine new houses in Hampton Roads and they are looking to find families to move into them.

The homes are being built in the Lake Kennedy homes section of Suffolk. However, there is one problem they are facing: they are struggling to find enough people who can qualify financially to own and live in the houses.

Habitat for Humanity South Hampton Roads is looking to spread the word and encourage interested families to apply. They are urging residents to tell their friends and families about the opportunity.

“We need everyone’s help to find families from anywhere on the Southside who qualify for these beautiful houses,” said Brad Kirkpatrick, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity South Hampton Roads. “We know that together, as one community, we can make a difference.”

Malika Traynham is a Habitat homeowner and she says her dreams have come true through the program.

“Home ownership was not something I thought I could obtain. I didn’t make enough money to afford it, credit was an issue,” said Traynham.

Two decades ago she was forced to bring her family to a shelter.

“As a parent, I will tell you, you feel like a failure, you failed your family and failed yourself and have not provided one of the basic necessities which is shelter,” said Traynham.

However, the single mom of four has come a long way, and 18 months ago she turned the key to a brand new Habitat for Humanity home.

Each home is single-family with three to four bedrooms and an average monthly payment of $700. The homes are sold to families with zero percent net interest, no closing costs and a minimum down payment.

“Habitat is not giving homes away, but we are providing affordable mortgages based on what the family can handle,” said Kirkpatrick. “We have homes in Suffolk, Chesapeake and Virginia Beach.”

To qualify, a family must:

• Have a need for adequate shelter
• Show the ability to pay for a Habitat home (stable, steady income sufficient to cover a mortgage)
• Demonstrate a willingness to partner with Habitat SHR (commit sweat equity in the form of 250-400 hours)
• Have lived in South Hampton Roads for at least one year (Habitat SHR services Chesapeake, Isle of Wight, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Smithfield and Virginia Beach)

To submit an application: CLICK HERE.