Habitat for Humanity ready to build seventh home

Habitat for Humanity of Eastern New Mexico is ready to begin work on its seventh home with a work day Saturday.

According to Executive Director Joyce Davis volunteers will gather at 8 a.m. Saturday at the home site at 313 E. Kaywood in Portales to remove trees and prepare the site for foundation work. Davis said a project normally takes about six months.

“It’s something we’ve dreamed about,” said Habitat office manager Amanda Johnson. “We’re happy to be able to build again.”

The future homeowner selected for the project is single mother Wendy Turner of Portales.

The homeowner and their family must put in at least 500 hours of work on the house and when it’s completed they pay for their home with a no-interest mortgage that is normally lower than the price of rent.

Davis said the organization is making a transition with this home. She said retired Portales contractor Gene Collins will be taking on the role of project manager.

“He’s going to be giving us directions and showing us what to do,” Davis said.  “We’ll be kind of regrouping our organization.”

Davis said volunteer participation in the past has been strong with 10 to15 volunteers often showing up on a given week. Even so, she said it is important to continue bringing new volunteers into the group to keep the energy going.

She said because the projects are basically mission work, the organization likes to see involvment from churches. She said they have also regularly had a number of Cannon Air Force Base airmen involved and a group of service clubs is planning to participate in this project.

Johnson, who started working for Habitat after her family received one of the earlier homes in Portales, said the start of a project is an exciting time for the family.

“It’s disbelief at this point (in the process),” Johnson said. “It’s like a dream come true. Just knowing that you can actually own your own home and you can do something like paint your child’s room the color they want is so special.”

Davis said the organization is also looking forward to opening its ReStore location at 308 N. Main later in August. Some of Saturday’s volunteers will be utilized to finish work and cleanup on the store.

When completed, the store will sell reclaimed building materials and use the profits toward building projects.

She said they inherited the inventory of a hardware store in Clovis and will also be receiving some of the items salvaged from the demolition of CAFB housing units that are being replaced.

The store’s opening is slated for Aug. 23. Davis said it will likely be open on Saturdays and one other evening during the week.

“It’s a good program to get the community involved,” Johnson said. “It’s good to know the community cares.”

Fast Facts

Work day for Habitat for Humanity of Eastern New Mexico

What: Site preparation for new home and work on ReStore location

When: 8 a.m. to mid-afternoon Saturday

Where: 313 E. Kaywood, Portales

Information and volunteer signup: 359-1344

Lunch will be provided