Habitat for Humanity grows in Sullivan County

Chapters in Pike and Wayne counties are further along

By FRITZ MAYER

MONTICELLO, NY — Alvin Dumas and his family were the first residents ever selected to move into a home in Sullivan County built by the local Habitat for Humanity chapter. Dumas thinks a large part of the reason the family selection committee picked him was because of his history of community service: he is a Monticello firefighter; he has four times run for a seat as a trustee on the village board; and had served as a deputy sheriff under former Sheriffs Joe Wasser and Dan Hogue.

Dumas, 41, who is currently working as a driver for the ShortLine bus company, is especially proud of the flagpole he set up in the front yard that flies the stars and stripes as well as the flag of the State of New York. He lives in the tidy ranch home with his wife and three daughters. His son recently got a place of his own.

Dumas moved into the house in March 2004. To become eligible for Habitat housing, the Dumas family, like families across the nation who apply for a Habitat house, had to meet certain requirements. The household income had to be in a range of 40 percent to 80 percent of the median income of the county, which is now about $38,000 year.

The family also had to commit to performing 400 hours of sweat equity in the building of the house, which mostly consisted of a lot of painting, and stuffing insulation into place.

The entire process took less than a year. And now, Dumas owns his own home for less than the monthly cost of renting a three-bedroom apartment.

Dumas pays about $600 per month for the mortgage on the house. The price is kept low because there is no profit built into the mortgage or the house itself, and much of the labor and materials are donated. Judy Brennan, president of the Sullivan County Chapter of Habitat, said the house cost about $60,000 to build. It has a market value of more than twice that amount.

Looking for lots

Brennan went to a meeting of the county legislature recently to talk about her group, with an eye toward getting the lawmakers to perhaps donate a building lot to the program at some point in the future. The lawmakers were particularly interested in the financing arrangements of the program. A couple of legislators wanted to know what would prevent the new home-owner from selling at the market price and walking away with a huge profit.

Brennan explained that the deal between the homeowner and Habitat stipulates that if the homeowner sells the home before paying off the mortgage, the homeowner must pay Habitat not the actual amount of the mortgage, but rather the market price of the house at the time. This provision, she explained, would remove any incentive for selling to make a profit.

Brennan further explained that the local organization holds the title on the property, so should a homeowner fail to make mortgage payments, the chapter would foreclose on the property, thus guaranteeing that property taxes would be paid.

The Sullivan Habitat chapter has begun construction of a second house, this one in Liberty.

Pike and Wayne

The Habitat organizations in Pike and Wayne counties in Pennsylvania have somewhat more experience than the one in Sullivan.

Pam Scholla of the Pike County chapter said her organization is in its 10th year of operation and is beginning construction on its 10th home. Wayne County, which has been operating since 1989, is beginning construction on their 12th home. The income limits in Pike and Wayne are roughly the same as those across the river, ranging from 40 to 80 percent of the median income of the county. Median income in Pike County is about $49,000; in Wayne the figure is $37,000.

Scholla said her organization relies mostly on retired volunteers to do quite a bit of the construction of the homes, and that helps keep the cost way down. In addition to houses, the group has also constructed a few ramps for people with wheelchairs, and they have also undertaken a couple of minor renovation projects. But the main focus of the group is the new houses.

Scholla said her group has been very successful in convincing people and businesses to donate lots for the homes; so far, the group has not had to purchase a single lot.

To volunteer at any of the three Habitat groups, go to www.habitat.org and plug in the appropriate zip code.