DuPage Habitat for Humanity® (DuPage Habitat), a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International®, is pleased to announce that its next Homeowner Application Session will be held on Saturday, January 5, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Gary United Methodist Church located at 224 North Main Street in Wheaton, IL. The Homeowner Application Session is the mandatory first step in the application process for becoming a partner family. Applicants will learn about the program and its qualification criteria as well as receive assistance filling out the requisite paperwork. Interested attendees are asked to register for the session by sending an email with their name, address, phone and email to family@dupagehabitat.org or leaving a message with that information at 630-510-3737 x104.
Eric and Brenda Long and their three children attended the Homeowner Application Session in April 2007 and within four months the Longs were thrilled to learn they had been selected as DuPage Habitat’s newest partner family.
The Longs, who are slated to move in the first quarter of 2008, will soon realize their dream of homeownership without the fear of unpredictable interest rates or predatory lending. Despite the nation’s recent housing market woes, DuPage Habitat continues to offer qualifying families no-interest loans on homes built or renovated by the organization — giving families “a hand up, not a hand-out.”
Each Saturday, the Longs arrive at their future house ready to work on the renovations. DuPage Habitat’s partner families must demonstrate is a willingness to invest 500 hours of “sweat equity” — work on the house itself or for the Habitat organization. “I think it’s great,” said Brenda Long, “to know that we helped renovate our own home.”
The Longs are especially grateful for the opportunity to own a home in Elmhurst where their son, who has autism and is visually impaired, attends a special school. With a home to call their own, the Long’s son won’t need to readjust to new surroundings as he did each time they moved from apartment to townhouse — and, the backyard will allow plenty of room for the children to play. “I really feel like this is a blessing and I thank God for organizations like Habitat for Humanity,” said Brenda Long, “I can’t thank them enough.”
Become a success story like DuPage Habitat’s most recent partner family the Longs and attend the mandatory Homeowner Application Session on Saturday, January 5, 2008 at Gary United Methodist Church located at 224 Main Street in Wheaton, IL. Parking is available behind the church on Seminary Avenue. Free child care will be provided for children between 5 and 11 years old. General information about DuPage Habitat can be found at www.dupagehabitat.org or by calling (630) 510-3737.
About DuPage Habitat for Humanity
DuPage Habitat for Humanity is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. DuPage Habitat serves DuPage County, Illinois and works in partnership with people in need to build modest and affordable housing by building and renovating houses using donated materials and volunteer labor. These houses are then sold to limited income families needing decent shelter. Those who qualify must demonstrate their commitment to home ownership by investing 250 hours of sweat equity and repaying the cost of their house through a no-interest long-term loan. This “giving a hand up — not a hand out” approach gives families pride in their accomplishment of ownership of their first home.