Habitat For Humanity Building Home In Taylors

The office staffs of three U.S. congressmen visited the build site Friday of a home being developed by the Habitat For Humanity in Taylors. 

Barbara Martin, director of development for the Habitat for Humanity of Greenville, said the home being constructed on Abba Way off of Edwards Street in Taylors represented the 303rd project in Greenville by Habitat. 

Martin said the office staffs of Rep. Trey Gowdy, Sen. Jim DeMint and Sen. Lindsey Graham all visited the site, which is the eighth house Habitat has built in the Abigail Springs subdivision in Taylors. 

Habitat for Humanity specifically helps low income families by building them quality homes. But it's far from a handout - there's plenty of sweat equity needed. 

"Once they apply, they have to put in at least 200 hours of volunteer work," Martins said. 

That way, future homeowners in the program help build the houses of others benefitting from Habitat. Habitat For Humanity aims to build homes for families whose income falls within only 30 to 60 percent of the area's median income. Those who are approved are given a zero percent interest mortgage.

In exchange, the families not only do volunteer work, but also are given 25 hours of coursework that educates them about all aspects of home ownership, from budgeting to landscaping. 

The current project in Taylors is being co-sponsored by Thrivent Builds, a collective of Lutheran churches from across the area. 

"They really are changing lives, one family at a time," said Kam Turner, a staffer for Trey Gowdy.