Lubbock family welcomed to new Habitat for Humanity home
Dasja Graham, Victoria Garza and family will be living in a new home thanks to help from Lubbock Habitat for Humanity.
They were recently presented with a new home on East Dartmouth Street in a ceremony hosted by the non-profit organization.
“It is just a surreal moment to know that my family and I will have a home to ourselves,” said Victoria Garza, one of the homeowners. However, Garza said the whole process took time.
“First, you go to the workshops for Habitat for Humanity and that is where everything is explained, you then turn in your application with the fee for them to run your credit,” said Garza. “After that, they will get back to you to let you know if you qualify or if your credit needs to be worked on."
When all was said and done, Garza said, the whole process took about eight months - but it was worth the wait.
The new homeowners are not the only ones who find joy in the home dedication ceremonies.
“It makes me feel proud and super proud of the community for just coming out and helping,” said Brittany Morgan, a construction manager for Lubbock Habitat for Humanity. “A lot of people that come out and help do not know anything about these people and they still come out and help, which is awesome to me.”
Morgan did say that Lubbock Habitat for Humanity has been helping individuals and families in Lubbock for the past several years.
And the organization plans to continue doing so for years to come.
“Lubbock Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit Christian organization that helps low to middle income individuals and families in Lubbock find a dream home,” said Christy Reeves, executive director for Lubbock Habitat for Humanity. Reeves said the organization is thankful for receiving donations - both financial and volunteer hours - from many churches, student groups and other organizations in town.
Each Habitat homeowner is selected by a volunteer committee based on need, willingness to partner and complete 150 hours of education classes and 100 hours of construction on their home or other homes, according to a news release from the organization. The potential homeowners must also have an income and demonstrate the ability to pay a no interest, affordable mortgage.
”Lubbock Habitat is a Christian based, non profit ministry that offers a hand up, not a hand out to individuals wanting to own a home who are willing to truly work for it," Reeves said in the release.
Lubbock Habitat is currently building four to six homes each year. Anyone interested in supporting Lubbock Habitat for Humanity, volunteering, or becoming a Habitat homeowner, can call (806) 463-4663 or e-mail Christy Reeves at creeves@lubbockhabitat.org.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock family welcomed to new Habitat for Humanity home
