Latest Habitat home nears completion

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Members of Temple Baptist Church and Gainesville Area Habitat for Humanity spent Wednesday morning at work on Habitat’s current house-build project at Taylor and Pecan streets. Volunteers are still needed to help with painting and drywall. For information about volunteering, call (940) 665-3091. Staff photo by Greg Russell

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July 26, 2012

Latest Habitat home nears completion

By GREG RUSSELL, Register Staff Writer Gainesville Daily Register The Daily Register Thu Jul 26, 2012, 07:56 AM CDT

Gainesville — The home stretch has arrived for Gainesville Area Habitat for Humanity’s latest build.

Habitat representatives said Wednesday that a family has been selected for the 1.5-story house at Taylor and Pecan streets, and that project funding and construction are roughly 85 percent complete, covering nearly everything but painting and drywall.

A budget close to $50,000 has accumulated through fundraisers and private donations over the duration of more than a year.

“We’re going to be okay, we think,” said Habitat representative Molly Worthen. “But we don’t want to deter anyone from giving us money. And if we have any money left over, we’ll use it for the next one.”

The home is the Gainesville organization’s ninth since its 1999 inception. And though Habitat homes have never been gracefully simple to begin, build and finish, officials admit this one has been a test.

The project failed to satisfy the organization’s standard goal of building one home each year — chiefly for reasons such as a lack of funds, a freeze in the permit process and difficulty in choosing a suitable resident family. And Habitat President Ron Dedoes admitted Wednesday that this latest house project was more difficult simply because of its unique 1.5-story design, which will include an upstairs shower.

But he added that long-term contributions from Habitat volunteers, plus members of Gainesville’s Temple Baptist Church, have bridged the gap between an empty field and a house nearly finished.

“The guys have done an excellent job and have been able to handle it without any difficulties,” Dedoes said. “They know what they’re doing, and as a result, it’s really going well.”

Habitat’s annual chicken spaghetti fundraiser is set for Sept. 21, and will benefit the ongoing build.

For information about volunteering for Habitat, call (940) 665-3091.