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Habitat For Humanity Recruiting Applicants

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By MEGAN HUSSEY

Tribune correspondent

Published: January 30, 2009

West Pasco Habitat for Humanity wants to make the dream of homeownership a reality for more families in the area.

Families who wish to apply for a Habitat home or learn about the organization's homeownership program can attend an open house from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the West Pasco Habitat office, 3531 Grand Blvd., New Port Richey.

"This is the first open house we've had in a while," said Rick Pittenger, resource coordinator of West Pasco Habitat for Humanity. "We want to let people know we're here and what Habitat is all about."

According to a statement from Habitat, applicants must have a verifiable housing need, must have lived in the organization's service area at least one year, have a steady income that is 30 percent to 50 percent of the median income for the area, be willing to serve 250 "sweat equity" volunteer hours per adult in the household, take a 15-week home ownership training course and be willing to provide a current credit report.

"At the open house, we're going to give an overview of what it takes to become an applicant and homeowner through Habitat," said West Pasco Habitat Executive Director Rebecca Russell-Gootee. "We'll also give an overview of Habitat itself and what our goal is for 2009."
West Pasco Habitat for Humanity is, according to the written statement, "a nonprofit, Christian housing ministry. Our mission is to eliminate substandard housing by making decent housing affordable to our partner families. Habitat is founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, decent, affordable place to live in dignity and safety."

Many Habitat applicants are low-income families living in substandard housing conditions. Once families have met program requirements and served their volunteer hours, they may move to their finished home with a low, no-interest mortgage.

"We want to get a bunch of people to apply," Pittenger said. "We have a great program and are happy to tell people about it."

For information about the West Pasco Habitat for Humanity open house, call (727) 859-9038.

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