Habitat for Humanity Breaks Ground in Grand Terrace

With gold shovels and dignitaries, groundbreaking ceremonies will take place July 16 for Habitat for Humanity San Bernardino Area’s two newest homes, in the City of Grand Terrace. The Habte family and the Miller family are the recipients of the homes and will be present at 10 a.m. as the Habitat for Humanity staff helps the families become home owners. The two families will have completed the necessary 500 hours of sweat equity by the time their homes are complete on Michigan Street in Grand Terrace. “It is fitting that in the same month that we celebrate our American Independence, we are able to move two deserving families a step closer to becoming home owners,” said HFH San Bernardino Area Executive Director Dennis Baxter. The lot on which the two homes will be constructed has been donated by the City of Grand Terrace. Habitat for Humanity will reach a milestone with these homes by constructing the two at the same time on the same lot. Known as the Alba B. DeBenedet build, funding for this project is in part from a generous gift from the estate of the late Alba B. DeBenedet, a resident of Grand Terrace for many years. “We are honored that Mrs. DeBenedet found it in her heart to remember Habitat for Humanity in her estate planning,” Baxter said. Habitat for Humanity San Bernardino was formed in 1992 by former San Bernardino Mayor Patrick Morris and his wife, Sally Morris. The first home was constructed in 1994 and the family that moved in to the home paid it off in 2014. Since it's opening, Habitat for Humanity San Bernardino has had six families who worked toward own their homes and are now paid off free and clear. With the recent success of the organization, the city of Grand Terrace announced Habitat for Humanity as the Business of the Month for July. "We're very proud to be Business of the Month and engaging in a partnership with the Chamber and other business in the community," Baxter said. Baxter said the organization likes to engage with business in the surrounding community to help increase the community economy. The two families selected by the Habitat for Humanity San Bernardino Area affiliate will make a modest, interest free mortgage and become engaged, tax-paying citizens of the community. They are also counseled for home owner and financial literacy education. Alganesh Habte currently lives in Colton renting from the Housing Authority of San Bernardino, with her newborn grandson, one-year old grand-daughter and daughter. According to the Habitat for Humanity website, Alganesh first heard about Habitat in 2003, when five of her children were still living with her. She put in an application, being selected, she waited 6 years for a home and completed 500 hours of sweat equity hours. However, she was later denied, due to loss of employment and change of income requirement. With the help of her family and lots of prayers, her income situation improved enough to reapply with Habitat for Humanity, and will now be a new homeowner. Amanda and James Miller currently live in Grand Terrace in a rental home with their four children between the ages of 14 and 9 years old. Their current rental home has many problems; such as electrical, roofing, and flooring issues, plus several broken windows. Amanda is legally blind and is excited to become a homeowner at our Grand Terrace build because it is conveniently located near public transportation to grocery shop. Amanda and James said they long to provide their children with a safe, stable place to live and play. “I am looking forward to being a homeowner and paying a mortgage toward my own home that is complete with no problems for my family," Amanda said to Habitat for Humanity. "I am so happy to be a Habitat partner family.” Partners on this project also include McCarthy Builders, Bank of America, Job Corps, Southwest Carpenters Training Fund, Valspar Paint, Whirlpool, Grand Terrace Lions Club and many volunteers from the Inland Empire.