Habitat for Humanity Announces Groundbreaking on November 6 for Duplex House in Boylston
Note: this announcement was issued by Habitat for Humanity-MetroWest/Greater Worcester.
Boylston, MA…On Saturday, November 6 at 10 am Habitat for Humanity-MetroWest/Greater Worcester (HFH-MW/GW) continues to celebrate its 25th Anniversary year by inviting the public to attend a groundbreaking ceremony in Boylston, MA. It will be held at 1 Mill Road Circle, a site donated by Charles and Claire Fitts, for the building of a duplex house that will become the home for two families.
The design of this duplex project consists of two three-bedroom units, each approximately 1150 square feet. The units will be two stories, with bedrooms on the second floor. The structure will be designed, detailed, and landscaped in a manner compatible with neighboring homes.
Habitat is working in collaboration with members of the Boylston community who have formed a Local Project Committee under the leadership of Howard Drobner and Susan Olsen. This committee has been instrumental in outreach efforts and working with town officials on the permitting process. Members are now hard at work planning construction and raising funds for this project.
Home Build Sponsors for the Boylston duplex, to date, include Abbott Laboratories, Lionbridge Technologies and Niche Hospitality Group. A grant has been received from the Massachusetts Association of Realtors, Inc. Charitable Foundation.
The two families who will occupy these units have been selected by lottery. Both families will contribute 400-500 sweat equity hours to build their houses.
One of the homeowners is Lisa Davin who works at Clinton Savings Bank in Boylston. She will live in her new home with her two school-age children – Meghan (6th grade) and Jacob (4th grade). Both children are excited to have their own rooms to decorate. Lisa is humbled by this life-changing experience.
The other home will be occupied by Domingo and Kristy Mendoza and their two children – Dominick (4 years old) and Isabella (16 months). Kristy lived in a shelter after lead paint was discovered to be a health hazard in her apartment. She works in vocational rehabilitation at Tradewinds in Southbridge. Domingo just became a permanent resident and is working toward citizenship. He is employed by a temp staffing agency. They are looking forward to having a real home where the children can play in the yard and they can garden.
The groundbreaking ceremony will be hosted by members of Habitat’s Boylston Local Project Committee – Howard Drobner, Susan Olsen, Gerry Quam and Rich Reardon. Rev. David Buchanan of the First Congregational Church in Boylston will offer the blessing. Speakers will include Mark Fuller – a Boylston resident, philanthropist and affordable housing advocate. Hank Rauch, Habitat board president, will speak on behalf of HFH-MW/GW. Charles and Claire Fitts, former Boylston residents and donors of the land for this project, will be in attendance.
Parking for the event will be available at Wagner Motors at 67 Main Street. Please park in front of the Audi building. A shuttle bus from Wagner Motors will run before and after the ceremony to assist attendees.
“We are particularly pleased to break ground for this duplex project in Boylston. It represents the 31st and 32nd affordable housing units provided to the community by our Habitat affiliate over the past 25 years,” said Harriett Lebow, Executive Director, MetroWest/Greater Worcester affiliate. “We hope the public will turn out on November 6th and join us in this celebration,” she concluded.
For more info about HFH-MW/GW, go to www.habitatmwgw.org
###
Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian organization that provides simple, decent, affordable home ownership opportunities for families in need living between 25-60% of the area’s median income. The organization is pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. Homes are sold to qualified and carefully selected low-income families on a no-profit basis with an interest-free mortgage. Selected families work with family partners and attend monthly meetings to prepare for successful home ownership. In keeping with its motto of “a hand up, not a handout,” partner families must contribute 400 to 500 sweat-equity hours helping build their homes.
Habitat has an open-door policy, welcoming all volunteers and supporters, regardless of religious affiliation, race, nationality or other background. For more information about HFH-MWGW, please visit www.habitatmwgw.org or contact the Habitat office at 508-799-9259 or office@habitatmwgw.org.