Habitat seeking Patton property

BY JULIE BENAMATI
The Tribune-Democrat

PATTON January 14, 2008 11:25 pm

— With four qualified lower-income families each willing to invest 500 hours into building their own new home, Habitat for Humanity is looking for a building lot in northern Cambria County.
The nonprofit agency has built three homes in as many years in Hastings, Carrolltown and Flinton – and is planning to build a fourth in Patton this year.
But according to Fred Thomas, one of Habitat’s board members and construction co-chairman, land with access to public utilities is not easy to find – especially donated property.
“We’re looking for land anywhere in the northern part of the county,” Thomas said. Land for sale also will be considered.
Though board members are concentrating on the Patton area because no Habitat for Humanity homes are there, Thomas said anywhere north of Ebensburg will be fine.
“Because we’re trying to build houses for lower-income people, we would like for the land to have water and sewerage available,” Thomas added. “To drill a well and put in a septic system is too expensive.”
And with tax season on the immediate horizon, Thomas is hoping someone will consider donating property in exchange for a tax write-off.
“We’d like donated land, and if someone wants to donate,” Thomas said. “That’s going to be a tall order, but we have time to work on it.”
Thomas said four families currently living in “substandard” housing have qualified for an agency house. To qualify, families must be able to pay a mortgage, and must be living in overcrowded or poor conditions, such as partial heat or broken windows.
Families also must be willing to invest 500 “sweat equity” hours into the construction of their home. Hours also may be accumulated by working on another family’s home.
“It does take a willingness,” said Thomas’ wife, Phyllis, Habitat’s board secretary. “They have to be willing to partner with us and have an income that will support an interest-free mortgage.”
Of the four approved families, one is committed to a Johnstown construction this year, while another is likely to be committed there as well. And while a third family is on the waiting list for a Johnstown home, a fourth family is waiting for a northern Cambria County home.
Phyllis Thomas said the second Johnstown house will likely be a “women-built” home.
“The majority of the work is done by women,” she said.
“That’s something we’ve never tried before.”
The last few Habitat houses built in northern Cambria County cost an average of $60,000.
The couple said Habitat always is searching for qualified families but, right now, the priority is finding a building lot in Patton or neighboring municipality.
Anyone interested in donating or selling land for the project, to volunteer or to apply to become a Habitat family can call the Thomases: 884-8994.