On Saturday, June 7th, Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County will make the American dream a reality for three hard-working single mothers. With the help of friends, family members, and well-wishers, the nonprofit will celebrate the new homes, located in the Overlook Subdivision in Columbia behind Spring Hill High School.
On June 27th, the houses will be sold at cost and with zero-interest mortgages to the heads of households Misty Hall, Nikki Jones, and Adreinne Witherspoon.
“All the hard work of our spring build season has culminated in today’s celebration,” explains Director of Construction Billy Whipple. “Over the last three months, 474 volunteers gave 3,318 hours to help build these homes. From the various congregations of our Faith Build to the individual Women Build volunteers, these builds have brought together so many to help these families achieve homeownership.”
All three families were living in unsafe and/or overcrowded conditions with rents hundreds of dollars above the monthly average Habitat mortgage payment of $525.
“The need for affordable housing in Williamson County couldn’t be greater,” said Habitat Williamson Director of Family Services Wayne Weaver. “In the last year, Williamson County’s median home price has risen 26 percent from $324,000 in January 2013 to $409,000 in January 2014. For many working individuals in our community like teachers, healthcare workers, city/county employees, and those in the service-sector, homeownership is not possible without Habitat.”
Such is the case for one of the build’s future homeowners, Misty Hall. Ms. Hall is a single mother of a child with autism and works as a special education teacher’s assistant with Williamson County Schools. Hall has worked alongside volunteers each weekend this spring and has chronicled the progression of her home with videos and hundreds of photos. For her son’s 10th birthday, the two celebrated with a pizza in their “new kitchen,” which at the time was just framed walls and a plywood floor.
“Since March it seems my world just seems to revolve around Habitat,” Hall said. “Whenever I am not working on my home I find that my thoughts are not far away from it. I just don’t want to forget any part of it! I am often overwhelmed with emotion.”
“To say I feel blessed is an understatement. I am just so grateful to Brentwood United Methodist and everyone who has had a part in the process. We love each and every one of you and are so honored to be given this opportunity to own a home.”
The $70,000 needed to complete each home was funded through a diverse group of community partners. The Spring Faith Build brought together the efforts of local churches Brentwood Baptist, Christ United Methodist Church, Fourth Ave Church of Christ, and Saint Andrew Lutheran Church.
The second home was sponsored completely by Brentwood United Methodist Church. The last residence, the fifth annual Women Build home, was funded through a generous gift from Emily Magid, proceeds from the Hammers and High Heels fundraiser, and individual Women Build volunteers. Two of the homes also received financing and/or funding from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency.
The dedication for all three homes will begin at 4 pm in the Overlook Subdivision in Spring Hill. Members of the participating organizations, board, staff, homeowners, and volunteers will be in attendance. Please contact Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County at 615-690-8090 if you need directions to the event.
For additional information or to get involved as a donor or volunteer, please contact Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County at 690-8090 or visit www.habitatwilliamson.org.
Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County.
