Contributed report

The Powhatan County affiliate of Habitat for Humanity has announced that it will reopen the family selection process this month, hoping to build two additional homes within the next year. 

Habitat for Humanity is a national, ecumenical, Christian housing ministry dedicated to building new homes for families who could not otherwise afford to own decent housing. 

There are currently four Habitat homes in Powhatan with the latest one being dedicated later this month.

Habitat - Powhatan members will explain the qualifications, and the application and selection process at informational meetings on March 28 and April 4, at 7:30 p.m. at the Powhatan County Library. 

Persons who may qualify for a Habitat home, and who would like to enter the selection process will benefit from attending, but attendance is not mandatory in order to apply. 

The following qualifications must be met in order to be considered for a Habitat home: live or work in Powhatan County; family income between $20,700 and $40,000, which translates to 30-60 percent of the county average; currently living in substandard housing; reasonably good credit and the ability to make a no-interest mortgage payment including taxes and insurance; willingness to contribute 300 hours of work building a house and/or future Habitat houses. 

Substandard housing can mean a number of things, such as a home with no heat or in poor condition, over-crowded conditions or unaffordable rent among other things.

Applications may be obtained at the informational meetings, at area churches, or from the local Habitat office, 794-1700.  Completed applications must be returned to the Habitat office no later than April 20 in order to be considered.

The current plan is to break ground on the fifth house early this summer on lots purchased at the county tax auction in Holly Hills. 

It will be constructed on Deborah Lane by volunteer labor using mostly donated building materials.

Another home, the sixth in the county, will follow in the same area once house number five is under construction.