For the seventh time in its 12-year existence, Habitat for Humanity of Champaign County Ohio (HFHCCO) is set to make a local resident a first-time homeowner.
On Saturday, Oct. 31, William Baber will be handed the keys to a new home at 360 Windsor Ave. in Urbana.
Baber, who will live in the home with his three children, Lily, William Jr. and Jerzie, said, “It’s hard to explain how I truly feel about a brand new home being built for me and my family. We live in a mobile home, and the kids have always wanted a home with a decent yard, so being able to get this house is like a fresh, clean start for us.”
Marcia Ward, volunteer executive director for HFHCCO, said volunteers have been working feverishly to have the 1,120-square-foot home complete in time for the ceremony.
“We began work in May on this house as the lot was purchased privately, not through the city,” she said, adding rain pushed the start of construction back six weeks. “This home, due to the late start, is going to be a true miracle.”
Ward said individuals familiar with HFHCCO’s most recent build on West Twain Avenue in Urbana will notice the floor plans are nearly identical.
“The home is exactly like the one on Twain except we flip-flopped it, so the living area is on the right with the bedrooms on the left,” she said.
The home features three bedrooms, one bath, an open living/dining/kitchen area, laundry room and a furnace closet. The property also has a storage shed.
Baber’s new home comes furnished with a range and refrigerator provided by Whirlpool, washer and dryer, garbage disposal, dishwasher, microwave, air conditioning, and hardwood and tile floors.
As with every HFHCCO project, the home’s insulation, doors and windows meet the standards of an Energy Star home and all equipment purchased to maintain the home is energy efficient.
As for the cost of building the home, Ward said, “We are trying to keep it under $65,000, as we do all of our HFHCCO homes.”
While the home shares many similarities with previous homes built by HFHCCO, it has unique characteristics.
“This property has more trees on it than any we have built on before,” Ward said. “We also love the close proximity to the school (South Elementary). We are very excited to be able to offer this type of environment to the Baber family.”
Event details, next home build
The dedication ceremony for the home will take place at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 360 Windsor Ave.
Ward said the community is invited to celebrate the completion of the local Habitat for Humanity build, and those in attendance can tour the home.
Baber said he can’t thank the community enough for everything it has done for him and his family.
“Habitat for Humanity is an awesome community thing going on,” he said. “It blows my mind to see how many people show up to help be part of this fresh start for us.”
Hot dogs, chips and cookies will be served during the ceremony, compliments of Kroger and Mumford’s Potato Chips & Deli.
Since the dedication is taking place on Halloween, Ward added the hope is to provide cider and apples.
Ward said city residents can expect to see another home built within the coming year.
“We are committed to Community Development Consultants (CDC) of Ohio Inc. to build our eighth house next year on Harmon Avenue and our ninth house in 2017,” she said. “Amy Schocken, from CDC, along with our county commissioners and the city of Urbana have all been very helpful in finding lots that are conducive to a Habitat build.”
