Work Will Begin This Summer As Contributions Come In
by Ruth Robinson
posted May 14, 2008
The first Habitat for Humanity house built in the Chattanooga area was on Signal Mountain. Jack Montgomery, of Signal Mountain, worked on that first house 20 years ago and has been a Habitat volunteer ever since. Several years ago he and several others thought it would be good to build another Habitat house on Signal and that idea is now coming to fruition.
The first Signal Mountain community meeting was held in October, 2007. The latest was last week. Nine churches and organizations have pledged their support, with both money and talent.
These are Alexian Village, Signal Crest United Methodist, Signal Mountain Presbyterian, St. Timothy's Episcopal, Signal Mountain Baptist, Signal Mountain United Methodist, St. Augustine Catholic, Signal Mountain Social Services and Tri-County Bank. Between them they have contributed in pledges and/or cash $60,000. The goal for construction of a house is $65,000 and Montgomery feels sure all the money will be in by Sept. 1.
In addition to the other contributions, there have been individual pledges. Bob McElhaney, a cabinetmaker, is donating labor and kitchen cabinets. Electrician John Foltz has offered to wire the house for telephones and cable TV. Bill Keith of Superior Heating and Air on Signal will donate a heating and air conditioning system. Whirlpool will provide stove and refrigerator.
Property has been obtained on Corral Road and a family has been chosen by Signal Mountain Social Services.
"We plan to start surveying and site preparation this summers and hopefully get the foundation in in September. Then Friday, Oct. 31, we plan a two-day blitz to get the house ready for the roof. Roofing, sheetrock, plumbing and electricity will be contracted out. Basically after the first week we hope to have it in the dry and complete the project in February, 2009."
The family selected consists of parents and two children. The father is disabled from an automobile accident so the mother is the family breadwinner. One of the children has cerebral palsy.
"Both grew up on Signal Mountain and we hope in this way to get things going for them," Mr. Montgomery said.
Work will be done by volunteers. The churches and organizations will provide teams and individuals may also volunteer. Ricky McEvoy of St. Timothy's, is volunteer coordinator. Anyone not one of the church/organization teams may contact the Habitat office at 756-0507 so McEvoy can fit them into the work schedule. "We need all the people we can get," Mr. Montgomery said.
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian organization dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness worldwide and to make adequate, affordable shelter a matter of conscience and action. It was founded in 1976 on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, decent, affordable place to live in dignity and safety. All who want to be a part of this work are welcome, regardless of religious preference or background.
Volunteers partner with low income families to build affordable housing. The houses are sold to these families at no profit and with no interest. Partner families invest hundreds of hours of labor into building their home and the homes of others.
The houses are affordable. A three or four bedroom home costs about $65,000 and is valued at about $100,000. Participants must have a qualification income, a credit check, references and currently living in substandard housing.
There's also another good thing, Mr. Montgomery said, because the community comes together in building the house.
| Dining Out | Business | Movies | Focus | About Us |
| Church | Living Well | Memories | Outdoors | Real Estate | Student Scene | Travel |