Chatham Habitat for Humanity dedicates homes

Posted Tuesday, September 25, 2007

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Includes National Award-Winning Sustainable Energy Design by N.C. State Students

Chatham county, NC - The public is invited to join in two celebrations this weekend as Chatham Habitat for Humanity dedicates homes to families in Pittsboro and Siler City. "Attending just one Habitat home dedication and seeing the joy and appreciation of hardworking people moving from substandard housing into their very own home is a very moving experience," said Habitat volunteer and former County Commissioner Betty Wilson.

Keys will be presented to the six-member Catalan Hurtado family on Friday, Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. at 40 Alston Street in Pittsboro. The family, who teamed up with Habitat employees and volunteers, agreed to contribute 350 hours of "sweat equity" toward the construction of their new home. They have been living in an overcrowded environment with electrical and plumbing issues and are "excited" about their new house. The Catalan Hurtado house was designed by a team of students from N.C. State University as part of the Sustainable Building Design competition presented by Advanced Energy. The winning design, which is currently being constructed by three North Carolina Habitat for Humanity affiliates, integrates energy-efficient, passive solar features that could be used by all income levels. The students not only won at the state level but also placed first in the national competion!

Another new home at 1800 Westmont Drive in Siler City will be dedicated to the hard-working Santiago Hernandez family on Saturday, Sept. 29 at 11 a.m. They too teamed up with Chatham Habitat as well as 12 area churches to construct their new abode, soon leaving behind a house with numerous structural problems and no central heat or air conditioning. The family, who enjoys outdoor activities and leading church functions, includes two boys, ages three and one, as well as a 13 year-old daughter. Their father Carlos has been employed with United Furniture Industries in Ramseur for nearly three years. Their mother Celsa is a full-time mother. This was an "Apostle Build," which means that a team of churches joined together with the family & Chatham Habitat to construct the house. (Call Debby at Habitat to find out how your church can participate.)

The two houses bring Chatham Habitat's total to 73 built since its founding in 1989. The non-profit organization, through the help of donations and countless volunteers, helps low-income families build and purchase their own low-cost, energy efficient homes. For information call (919) 542-0794 or visit the website at www.chathamhabitat.org.