WILMINGTON — Since its inception 13 years ago, West River Habitat for Humanity (WRHH) has built four houses and is almost fully funded to build a fifth in our area, which runs north/south along the spine of south-central Vermont and encompasses 13 towns, from Jamaica and Londonderry to Whitingham and Wilmington.
The first four houses have been built in Wilmington, Whitingham, and West Wardsboro.
It is time to branch out and serve more of our designated area. To do so, we need to engage the towns not yet involved.
WRHH always needs and is always seeking:
1. Volunteers (both to do the actual building and to serve on the Board of Trustees).
2. Donations of buildable land as well, of course, as monetary contributions. Some of our building sites were donated in part for a tax deduction, some were purchased at tax sales, and one was entirely donated.
3. Appropriate applicants for a home. Habitat homes are modest in size, usually a three-bedroom ranch-style house with one bath and no garage. They are extremely energy-efficient with brand new everything. The mortgage has no interest payment so it is very low and all equity. There is also no down payment required.
The applicant must earn at least $28,000 per year (you cannot safely carry a house in this area with an income lower than that), have a reasonably good credit standing, and have lived in the area for at least one year.
WRHH is looking for people interested in any of these three areas.
Because of the distances involved, it might be sensible to have board committees for the towns at the far ends of the coverage area.
Please call 802-464-5156 with questions, ideas, or suggestions.