Habitat for Humanity Building New Homes in Dearborn

Habitat for Humanity of Detroit announced on Friday that it will begin the first phase of building a dozen new homes in Dearborn starting the second week of April.

Six houses for moderate to low-income families will be built in the area of Neckel and Maple streets, according to Robert Layne, new property development and leadership training director for Habitat.

"This project has been in the works for several years as a partnership between Habitat for Humanity, ACCESS, and the city of Dearborn," Layne explained.

According to Mayor John O'Reilly, Jr., the city purchased several 60 feet by 150 feet vacant lots near the 7000 block of Neckel Street last year with funds it received in 2012 from a $2 million Neighborhood Stabilization Program federal grant.

"We wanted to do something to help our veterans," O'Reilly said. "It also gives the community an idea of what's possible for the redevelopment of those lots once the ranch-style homes are built."

Layne said another benefit from the project will be the additional revenue for the city's property tax base and increased home values.

The target recipients of the new homes are veterans, survivors of domestic violence, and low-income families. Layne said potential applicants will go through a rigorous screening process prior to receiving a house in order to determine if they meet a certain income level and credit score.

"The homes aren't given away," he said. "Owners have to agree to attend financial literacy training with us and volunteer 250 to 350 hours of sweat equity to qualify for an interest free mortgage."

Phase two of the project will begin in the fall, with a targeted completion of six more houses during the first quarter of 2014.

At its meeting on March 19, the Dearborn City Council approved a request by the Economic and Community Development Department to purchase eight parcels of land on Hartwell Street from the Italian American Fraternal Club at a cost of $106,000. The land will be donated for the Habitat for Humanity housing project.

Layne said he is looking forward to working with the city as construction begins on the homes.

"We have been in business for 26 years. During that time period, we worked exclusively in Detroit," he said. "This is the first time we will be branching out in geographical service area."

For more information, visit http://www.habitatdetroit.org/.