Habitat buys land to build homes

Boundary County Habitat for Humanity has purchased property in Bonners Ferry that will allow the organization to build up to seven homes.

The property is in the vicinity of the hospital on Spokane Street.

In 1993, the Boundary County affiliate was founded by approximately 10 people of Boundary County. To date the BCHFH has built 8 homes in Bonners Ferry.

BCHFH has a list of applicants and hopes to begin building a their ninth home next year for a deserving Boundary County family.

Families who are awarded homes are required to complete a minimum of 300-500 hours of sweat equity to build their home. The hours depend on whether the applicant is a single parent or a married couple.

Sweat equity means that as a Boundary County Habitat homeowner has invested time and labor, not just money, into building their home.

The applicant helps with all aspects of building the home and do this along side of Habitat volunteers.

Homes are built for families who do not qualify for conventional bank loans. Most of the labor is done by volunteers and by the families themselves.

When the home is completed, the family makes a small down payment and gets a mortgage. The mortgage covers the cost of the home but smaller payments without interest charges.

Their monthly mortgage payments go into a revolving fund that helps build homes for other families.

Habitat homeowners are responsible for insurance, taxes, utilities, maintenance and other homeowner expenses.

"Unfortunately at this time we do not have the funds to start a house," said Garvin Lyle board member and web designer. "So we are concentrating on raising money through donations and grants."

Watch for news later in the summer for the property dedication ceremony where everyone will be welcome.

Habitat for Humanity would also like to welcome their newest board member, Ken Myers.

To get more information or to apply for a home go to http://www.bchfh.org.