For almost two decades Ardmore Habitat for Humanity has been helping local families achieve their dream of becoming home owners. But achieving this dream takes a lot of work.
Recipients of Habitat homes must pass a long list of requirements to be approved. They must also put some sweat equity into their homes by helping with the building process.
Helping these families along every step of the way is Executive Director Jayne Huffman.
Huffman said she was involved in the organization for many years before becoming executive director.
“I was on the board back when I was assistant superintendent at SouthernTech,” she said. “I retired, and we had someone else take over Habitat. But that was around COVID times, so there were issues there.”
The board ended up asking Huffman to return on an interim basis, but that proved a bit problematic for some grant funding.
“We found out quickly people did not like seeing that interim next to my title, especially when it comes to writing grants,” she said. “They’d always ask what’s going to happen when you’re gone.”
Huffman ended up taking over the executive position full time. Since taking on the position, she said she has focused on helping their clients with financial literacy and the things that come along with home ownership.
“What we have found is a lot of the people we work with, they’ve been renters their whole lives and their parents were renters,” she said. “So they don’t understand things like escrow and taxes and insurance. So I’ve concentrated a lot on education.
“I’ve been working with them on savings, cleaning up their credit report. Teaching them about calling around to different agents to see who can get them the best deal.”
In fact, she has been working with the lady who is currently getting a house for many years.
“This young lady had been trying for almost four years,” Huffman said. “With a lot of people as soon as you tell them no, they’re gone. But I always tell people, I can work with you. This woman did not give up. She just finished her degree and hopes she’ll be teaching soon.”
Requirements for receiving a Habitat home
In order to receive a home from Ardmore Habitat for Humanity, the person must have lived or worked in Ardmore for at least a year. They must also have a salary that falls into the HUD low income housing guide.
If both of these are met, the person may apply online. From there Habitat cross references the application and asks for a credit report. If all of these things are good, a committee of bankers and financial advisors will either approve or deny the application.
Once selected each family getting a house must put in at least 300 hours of sweat equity.
“A lot of these people have been supported by their church or their work, so they typically do not have any trouble getting in their hours,” Huffman said.
As for the bulk of building the house, Huffman said there are many contractors that volunteer their time or work at reduced fees to help. The reduced fees also typically supply to building materials.
One contractor in particular helped build many Habitat for Humanity homes for a number of years. His name was Jimmy Wright, and he was the manager at County Building Supply.
“He helped us on so many of our homes over the years and volunteered so many hours,” Huffman said. “After he passed we named our annual golf scramble fundraiser after him.”
The Jimmy Wright Memorial Golf Scramble is set for 10 a.m. on May 9 at Dornick Hills. For more information visit the Ardmore Habitat for Humanity Facebook page.
