Athens Area Habitat for Humanity will break ground on its 78th house in the Athens community on Saturday, June 22nd at 8:30 am at 140 Carpenters Circle. This house will be the fourth addition to Carpenter’s Circle, a Habitat community that will ultimately consist of seven houses located off Burney Street.

We are building this house for an Athenian in need. Shemika is a single mother with two sons, ages 16 and 12. Their current home is located in an unsafe area and they are regularly worried about break-ins and shady dealing around their apartment.

“It’s really a blessing for my family” and “We’re happy we have the opportunity” says Shemika and her son Trae.

Habitat homeowners are screened to ensure that they are able to make their interest-free mortgage payments, that they have no criminal background, and that they are committed to partnering with Habitat to build their home. Every homeowner must complete 500 hours of “Sweat Equity” so that we know they are invested in their projects. This requirement is not always a chore for our homeowners; many of them bring their family along and work together to reach their goal.

“We enjoy helping others to get on the right track. It’s definitely something I would encourage other homeowners to do, even after their hours are done” said Shemika while she and her son Trae were working in the ReStore.

The house is sponsored by Wells Fargo who has agreed to provide not only funds for the house, but has also partnered with Habitat and has agreed to provide all of the volunteers for the Saturday builds. Athens Habitat is excited to start work on this new project to continue to provide simple, decent, affordable housing for members of the Athens community.

Athens Habitat invites any member of the community to join us as we celebrate the start of our new project.