LONDONDERRY — The Mountain Towns Housing Project (MTHP) says it is making great progress building the Bob Perry Lane House, an affordable, modest, single-family home off Hells Peak Road in Londonderry.
In partnership with the Windham & Windsor Housing Trust since January 2022, MTHP recently announced the start of Phase 2 of the project and the launch of a community fundraising campaign.
“The shell of the house is being installed now, and once installed, it will be a completely enclosed structure with windows, doors, and roof,” Paul Alcorn, chair of the MTHP Steering Committee, said in a news release.
With Phase 1 completed, Alcorn said MTHP is “now poised to take this project over the finish line with the goal to have a family in the home by the end of 2023. To that end, the selection committee is now accepting applications from interested families.”
MTHP Fundraising Committee chair Cynthia Gubb said approximately $174,000 in cash gifts and $270,000 in donated products and services has been donated so far.
“We now are moving to Phase 2 with the launch of our community campaign - raising an additional $150,000 to finish the interior of the house and clapboard the exterior,” said Gubb. “We are excited with the progress and want to get to the goal quickly to keep the construction on track.”
The group anticipates this will take most of the summer and into the fall and will include both licensed trades people and volunteer labor. Those interested in participating in the volunteer build days are encouraged to sign up on the MTHP website at mountaintownshousing.org.
Residents interested in purchasing this house will go through an application process as there are certain requirements and guidelines potential homeowners must meet. More information about the process, guidelines, income eligibility, and where to access an application are on the MTHP website mentioned above.
MTHP is building this house with the intent that it will be sold at an affordable price to a local individual, couple, or family who could not otherwise afford a home in this area. It is their hope that this first house is the start of a long-term vision of providing more affordable homeownership opportunities in our area.
To finish the interior, MTHP needs to purchase numerous building materials and supplies.
“Building supplies are expensive - that's why it's almost impossible to build an affordable home,” the group said. “A gift of $25 will buy a five-gallon bucket of joint compound. $250 will buy a quality toilet and $500 will buy two. $3,000 will cover the cost of drywall and $5,000 would buy the interior doors. $10,000 would provide all the flooring including tile, vinyl, and carpeting. $15,000 would provide the clapboard siding and the stain needed to paint it.”
Those who would like to make a gift may send a check made payable to Mountain Towns Housing Project at P.O. Box 538, Londonderry, VT, 05148. Gifts can also be made online by visiting the website of the Second Congregational Church at secure.myvanco.com/YGY2/home and click on “Perry Lane Project.”
Questions can be directed to Paul Alcorn at [email protected] or Cynthia Gubb at [email protected].