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Habitat Breaks Ground for Two Homes in Struthers
STRUTHERS, Ohio -- Two new Habitat for Humanity of Mahoning County families helped turn the first shovelsful of dirt this morning at the organization's first ever double groundbreaking ceremony on Oakview Street here, officials reported. The home to be owned by Cindy Wellman and her son, Michael, is fully funded by Ohio Edison, a FirstEnergy Corp. company. The second home, to be owned by Willys and Michelle Acosts and their three daughters, is 50% funded by FirstEnergy and 50% by the Youngstown-Columbiana Association of Realtors and area Rotary clubs, according to the report.Dan Mamula, mayor of Struthers, noted that by the end of this year, the city will have six tax-paying properties built by Habitat, including two existing homes on Charles Street, the two new Oakview Street homes and two more that were announced at today's groundbreaking. The FirstEnergy funds are part of a $260,000, six-home grant awarded recently to the local Habitat affiliate. The Realtors and Rotary clubs met the FirstEnergy half-home challenge grant for the Acosta family home, which amounts to a donation of approximately $26,250.The properties were donated, together with nine other lots in Struthers, by Gloria Atkins, the report stated, and the sites were processed through the Mahoning County Treasurer's new Tax Delinquent program and acquired by Habitat with minimal legal work and financial investment.Also, the dual start of two residential buildings is being realized through strong involvement of Mahoning Valley businesses, the report stated. The collaborative commitment by the local realtors' group and Rotary clubs to meet the FirstEnergy half-house challenge grant is a first in the Valley, according to the report. Several years ago, Rotary clubs in Struthers and Boardman sponsored the first Habitat home built here, the report stated.Jeff Elser, vice president of external affairs for Ohio Edison and Penn Power, said that the grant funds provide only "a solid foundation for these homes -- but it is the hands-on, hammer-swinging work and comraderie that truly builds these energy-efficient homes."The Habitat houses on Oakview Street will be 1,152 square feet total and have three bedrooms and one bathroom. Habitat sells them for $38,000 with no down payment and at no interest. Monthly mortgage payments of $300 include taxes and insurance on both the houses and personal possessions plus a contribution toward equity, and the mortgages are approximately 15 years in length, the report stated.Interior and exterior wall panels for the houses will be made by the inmates at the Elkton Federal prison. All code work -- heating, plumbing and electrical -- will be done by members of local trade union apprentice programs, the report said. Youngstown State University has pledged to supply volunteer workers from staff, faculty and the student body. Habitat partner/owners must earn between $13,000 and $20,000 annually, be in reasonable credit standing and be willing to put in 350 hours of sweat equity on their homes or other Habitat projects, according to the report. Habitat holds first right of refusal on sale of the property plus a second mortgage.Habitat for Humanity of Mahoning County currently holds mortgages on 12 homes. The six homes sponsored by FirstEnergy must be at least under roof by Dec. 31 to be eligible for the $260,000 grant, according to the report."