This story was originally published in our Summer 2013 Newsletter.
Five families will leave substandard housing behind and move into their own homes in a new neighborhood in Charlotte, thanks to many donors and volunteers. Named “Albert’s Way” after longtime Charlotte resident Albert Gecewicz, this is Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity’s (GMHfH) largest project to date and will convert a formerly commercial property into a residential community.
There will be three single-family ranch-style homes and one duplex and a shared common space where the children can play. The Albert’s Way Project will also conserve 4.5+/- acres of the LaPlatte River watershed through a conservation easement with Vermont’s River Conservancy. These houses will remain perpetually affordable for working Vermont families.
Following GMHfH’s energy efficiency history, each home will be built using Energy Star guidelines and exceed Vermont’s building codes for energy efficiency. In addition to hundreds of volunteers, Habitat will also contract with licensed trades people to complete foundation, excavation, electrical, plumbing and
other work as needed.
Families for Albert’s Way homes will be selected on the basis of their current need for housing and their willingness to participate in the Habitat for Humanity program. The family for the first house has already been selected and the selection committee is currently reviewing applications for two additional families for the remaining two homes to be built this year.
GMHfH partners with its families before, during and after the homes are built including extensive counseling in homeownership, financial management, and budgeting and home maintenance skills. This support system from dedicated volunteers helps the families be successful as homeowners and reduces the risk of future homelessness. Habitat homes are energy efficient and designed to accommodate families with mobility issues and aging homeowners so that they can stay in their homes for many years to come.
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