MONTGOMERY, Ill., Sept. 26, 2019 — Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity will hold two homeowner-information sessions for families needing affordable housing.

Information meetings will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10 and 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at Genesis Community Church, 1300 S. Broadway in Montgomery, site of Habitat offices. The public is invited. Parking is free.

Debi Albright, Habitat director of operations, will provide information on becoming a Habitat homeowner. Habitat homeowners will also provide information. Applications will be available.

The sessions are part of five 2019 home-ownership briefings. To RSVP, or for more information, call (630) 206-5031 or e-mail d.albright@foxvalleyhabitat.org.

Qualifications for becoming a Habitat homeowner include:

• Need for housing due to overcrowding, unsafe conditions, cost.
• Ability to repay no-interest mortgage held by Habitat.
• Willingness to volunteer 500 hours of “sweat equity” through working on Habitat homes or at fundraisers and pther events.
• Meet Habitat income guidelines (earn 30 to 80 percent of average median income).

Rev. Jeff Barrett, Habitat executive director and Genesis Church pastor, said “Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity needs help. We are seek five families that are currently renting or living with relatives that do not qualify with a bank for a mortgage to buy their own home.

“Families must be working low- to moderate-income families that earn 30 to 80 percent of the average median income.

“All of our Habitat families say they were not going to apply because they were positive they would not be accepted. However, we specialize in families that banks won’t accept.

“Many area families are living in substandard apartments, moving frequently to find a better place to live and many spend over half of their income on rent. With Fox Valley Habitat. they can own a beautiful affordable home that never exceeds 30 percent of their income. Often their mortgage payment including principal, interest, taxes and insurance is less than the cost to rent.

“Please help us find families that need our hand up to transform their lives through affordable housing.” Rev. Barrett said.

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Al Benson

Freelance Photo-Journalist

Al Benson is an Aurora-based freelance photo-journalist. He is currently an archives research specialist at Aurora University. His work has appeared in The Voice, The Daily Herald, The Beacon-News, and the Chicago Tribune.