A family of four will be the homeowners of Habitat for Humanity’s (HFH) latest build in Gilmer County.
With hard hats on and shovels in hand, a groundbreaking ceremony took place Saturday, at the 1-acre lot location on Roberts Ridge Road in Ellijay.
This is HFH of Fannin and Gilmer counties’ second build in Gilmer in more than 20 years, and is going up next door to their first build. That home was completed a few months ago for a single mother and her two children.
“We couldn’t have done [the first build] without this community support, and we’re so appreciative of all our partners and volunteers,” Board President Karleen Ferguson said at the start of the ceremony.
Highschool sweethearts Chris and Taylor Abercrombie and their two, young daughters Anslie and Emma, will be moving into this three-bed, two-bath home. They were introduced at the groundbreaking ceremony.
“We’re not just building them a house,” Amy Bohnsack, a former volunteer and mentor to the Abercrombies, said during the ceremony. “We’re building them a home where they are going to create memories, be able to grow together and thrive as members of the community.”
Families that apply are chosen by the HFH board based on a matter of need, and are assigned mentors to help them along the process. The Abercrombies applied through an HFH ad on Facebook.
“We haven’t had a forever home, we don’t know what it’s like,” Taylor explained when asked about what being selected for this build means to her. “I want to have stability for my kids. They will know they can always come back here if they need to.”
The family is currently living in the Ellijay Housing Authority, along with their dog. Taylor said her daughters are hoping for another puppy, which they can’t have in the complex they are renting now. Their new home means they’ll have a yard for as many dogs as they want.
“We want to live where we can have a yard for them, and we want to be paying into something that’s going to be ours, not just where we’re paying [rent] every month,” Taylor noted.
Chris is an assistant manager at Food Lion, and Taylor works at IHOP. Ferguson said that HFH working on more builds in Gilmer means needed workers can own affordable housing that is otherwise severely lacking in the county.
“It’s a way that we can give back and give an opportunity for someone to live in a safe, affordable home,” Ferguson voiced joyfully while glancing over at the Abercrombies standing on the lot. “They can plant their roots with their children that I’m watching play in what will be their home one day. To give them security and safety, it’s so meaningful to me.”
Ferguson noted that the nonprofit hopes to build on eight lots along Roberts Ridge. The two current lots were donated by local resident, Mitzi Miller. HFH is working with her now to get two more.
Recipients of HFH homes must complete 300 hours of community service with the nonprofit, and have good credit to be able to apply for their loan. They also must have a consistent form of income to be able to pay the mortgage.
The Abercrombies apply for the mortgage, and HFH will hold a silent, second mortgage covering the difference of what the family qualifies for and what the home appraises for, according to Ferguson.
Executive Director Anita Hardy discussed how the nonprofit is able to keep their homes affordable.
“When we sell a house, that helps fund the next house,” she said. “Donations from vendor partners and all the volunteer labor helps us keep that actual build cost lower, to be able to provide an affordable mortgage for that family.”
Some of those vendor partners include Climatrol Air and Ace Hardware, who have arrangements with Habitat International to provide discounted services or donations to builds.
Jeff Jackson, the volunteer construction manager, explained their building plans at the ceremony. Now that they’ve officially broken ground, next steps include groundwork and rough plumbing, pouring the concrete slab, inspections by the county and laying out the framing for the home.
Then volunteers will step in to help build on the weekends, starting in about a month. Habitat’s last home took about eight months to finish, so they are hoping for that same time frame for this one.
“Last time, I think we had 15 or 18 [volunteers] start the first day, and we got all the walls done that first day on the outside,” Jackson noted. “We just keep doing that until the process is done.”
Those interested in getting involved or volunteering can find more information on the nonprofit’s website, habitatfgc.org.