Habitat helping the Utah community

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    By Shane Bevell

    Habitat for Humanity is helping Utah County residents to have a home to call their own.

    “We’re anxious to move in but are just waiting to finish the house,” Roberto Caste?eda said.

    Caste?eda and his wife are one of the families who will live in Habitat’s eleventh home, the Faith Subdivision twin home, 700 S. 400 West in Provo.

    “We will be happy to live in our own house,” Caste?eda said.

    One requirement before getting a home is that those approved must put in a number of hours of work Kena Mathews, former secretary of the board for the Utah County affiliate of Habitat for Humanity.

    A single parent family has to do 350 hours of work while a two-parent family has to do 500 hours, Mathews said.

    Mathews said those moving into the Habitat homes are referred to as Habitat families.

    She said the families work on their own personal home and help on the homes of other Habitat families.

    Caste?eda said he and his wife have been working on their home for a year and are working to finish it.

    “We like them to work on their own home because they feel like they are part of their home,” Mathews said. “It shows pride of ownership.”

    Provo resident Karen Faubus was the recipient of Habitat’s fifth house nearly five years ago.

    “If it wasn’t for Habitat and the firemen, we wouldn’t have a house,” Faubus said.

    The Provo City Fire Department assisted in building the home Faubus lives in.

    The volunteers and the organization give hope to each other, said Julie Beck, advisory board member.

    “One thing that attracted me and kept me at Habitat is because it is place of so much hope.

    “The people are so giving and helpful. They are such good people and they give so much.

    “We are hear to feed each other. Whether it be spiritually or to build a home, that is our purpose,” Beck said.

    SueEllen Deniker, a volunteer from Frederick, Maryland said, Habitat is giving her valuable experience with being responsible.

    “It builds my self-esteem when I serve others,” Deniker said

    Community members would benefit from being involved, Deniker said.

    There is a process for those to complete who are interested in being a Habitat family.

    Susan Miller, former director of the family selection committee, said those who are interested in being a Habitat family come to an orientation meeting where they are informed about the program.

    One requirement to become a Habitat family is being between 25 and 50 percent of the median income of Utah County, Miller said.

    Miller said another requirement is that the family must be living in sub-standard housing.

    The Habitat also does credit checks, bank checks and employment checks, Miller said.

    Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, ecumenical organization dedicated to eliminating sub-standard housing and providing simple, decent housing with those in need of affordable shelter.

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