NORFOLK (June 10, 2016) – Habitat for Humanity South Hampton Roads (SHR) and its subsidiary, Housing Hampton Roads, have a plan for nine new houses this summer in the Lake Kennedy Homes section of Suffolk. There’s only one problem: at the moment, the organization is struggling to find enough people who can qualify financially to own and live in them.
Now, Habitat SHR is calling on the region to spread the word and encourage interested families to apply. On Wednesday, June 22 at 11 a.m., the Habitat SHR team will hold a press conference at the Lake Kennedy site (intersection of White Marsh Road and Lake Kennedy Drive). Suffolk Mayor Linda Johnson, members of city council, the Suffolk Housing Authority and other partners will join them to urge residents to tell friends and family about the opportunity. A current Habitat homeowner will also be in attendance to talk about her experience.
“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 SHR. “We know that together, as one community, we can make a difference for those who deserve a special place to call home.”
Each Habitat home is new construction and one of four housing models. They are each single-family detached units with 3-4 bedrooms and have an average monthly payment between $650-$750. Habitat SHR homes are sold to families with zero percent net interest, no closing costs and a minimum down payment.
To qualify, the 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)
For media: on Wednesday, June 22, please arrive no later than 10:30 a.m. at the Lake Kennedy site to ensure you capture the entire press conference. There will be construction underway on one of the houses that day that can be recorded.
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