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SIERRA VISTA — The Sierra Vista Habitat for Humanity has been busy this year with two homes readied for new families.
Sunday, it dedicated the 15th home constructed to assist a low-income family.
Odilia Mungarro and her three grandchildren will be moving into the three-bedroom home next week.
“I like being a homeowner,” said Mungarro. “I have waited a long time for this.”
 Odilia Mungarro, right, is presented a quilt by Penny Lupo, president of the Hummingbird Quilters, as a house-warming gift at the dedication of Mungarro’s new home on Sunday. The house located on W. Tacoma St. is the 15th house built through the efforts of the Sierra Vista Area Habitat for Humanity. (Suzanne Cronn-Herald/Review) |
She has been working at the Sierra Vista Regional Health Center for the past eight years and was living in a rather run-down apartment complex where the landlord doesn’t want to keep up repairs, she said.
“The kids are so happy,” she added. “They have plans for the rooms and what they want to do. And they will help with work around the house, so they know how to take care of one.”
The three-bedroom home is small, but to the Mungarro family, it’s huge.
“I appreciate Habitat for Humanity for making this house and letting me get it,” she said. “And I thank God.”
Her oldest grandson, 11-year-old Jordan Venezuela, commented, “It’s great. This is a nice house. I’m going to get a futon. And I’ll set my stereo up in the bedroom. My grandmother is going to have my TV fixed.”
Jesus Venezuela, 8, was hanging out in the new bedroom he would share with his little brother 5-year-old Jamari Venezuela. He and his cousins were listening to music on iPods. He doesn’t have a decor plan, yet. He just wants a TV in his room, too.
When asked if he would be helping with the chores around the house, he shrugged his shoulders and said, “When she asks me, I will help.”
Jamari was very happy that he and his family would be moving into a new home and he is going to help his grandmother with house cleaning.
“When we move here, the first thing I plan to do is play with my brothers and play with everything in the house,” he added.
Local Habitat president Karl Hallsten explained that there is a process to follow to become a recipient of a Habitat house. The family has to be living in substandard housing and be income eligible. The board follows guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“The family has to be able to meet a $500 a month mortgage payment,” said Hallsten.
The board tries to hold mortgages at that amount to make it easier for the new homeowners. The loan comes interest free. The actual cost of the house is what the first mortgage is for. The cost to rebuild and furnish carpet, flooring and appliances brought the house value to $72,000 even though the home was appraised at $145,000 on the market. If the family stays in the house for 20 years, the mortgage is paid off and the home is truly theirs. If for some reason, they chose to move or sell the home, they are required to pay the higher price.
“All the costs of the house — the materials and labor — all go into the cost of the home,” Hallsten said. “We wouldn’t be able to provide these homes if it weren’t for the contractors and volunteers who build and renovate the homes. We express our gratitude to our many individual volunteers who contribute time, labor and resources to build this house. We also express our gratitude to the churches, service clubs and organizations like United Way who support Habitat throughout the year in a variety of ways.”
As Father Gregory Adolf, pastor at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church, blessed the house, Mungarro received a few gifts — a quilt from the Hummingbird Quilters, a picnic table built by the Cadette/Senior Girl Scout Troop 1224, cleaning supplies from Sierra Vista Methodist Church and other gifts and cards from friends, family members and well-wishers.
Hallsten is confident that with the new applications submitted by people who want to be considered to serve on the board, the Sierra Vista Habitat for Humanity will do much more in the community for those in need.
Hallsten added, “Our major focus this year has been on building the board. We were down to just four of us. Now we’re poised for the future. The need in this community is tremendous.”
Herald/Review reporter Shar Porier can be reached at 515-4692 or by e-mail at shar.porier@bisbeereview.net.
WitnesstoHistory wrote on Jul 1, 2008 3:16 AM: