Siloam Springs goes Habitat : First Habitat for Humanity project in city’s history nears completion
Posted on Tuesday, July 22, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/bcdr/News/63960/
Since Rogers Habitat and Sugar Creek Habitat merged to create Habitat for Humanity of Benton County in 2000, the organization and countless volunteers have put up 54 homes.
Believe it or not, the one speeding toward completion at 615 S. Maxwell St. is the first Habitat for Humanity home ever constructed in Siloam Springs.
“ I couldn’t believe it when we found out this was the first one ever built here, ” said Arvest Bank branch manager Kerstin Moeller, who has spearheaded the project with co-worker Clayton Smith. “ I guess it’s never too late, and this house is going to make a big difference for a local family. It’s been an inspiring experience — so many people have made this possible. ”
Ground was broken on the single-level, 1, 100-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bathroom home in May, and the framing began June 21. From there, it’s been a work in progress, with volunteers and area companies stepping up daily. Moeller said Habitat for Humanity is working on a tight timeline, as a dedication is planned for Aug. 14, just a few days before Heather Barbosa’s children — Adriana, 10, and Brandon, 7 — begin the 2008-09 school year.
For years, Barbosa, a single mother, rented an apartment in Siloam Springs. She’s been on the Habitat for Humanity Benton County waiting list for nearly two years. Since her lease expired several months ago, Barbosa has been driving nearly 50 miles to her job and children’s activities in Siloam Springs from a relative’s house in Tahlequah, Okla.
At the home site regularly to help out, Barbosa and her children said they have been moved by the generosity of others. Barbosa still has to pinch herself to be convinced that the home being constructed is actually for her. On Aug. 14, she knows life is going to get a whole lot better for her family.
In addition to all of the volunteers and companies that have donated labor and materials to Habitat for Humanity Benton County’s first Siloam Springs house, La-Z-Boy — among the largest employers in the community — has agreed to outfit the entire home with furniture.
“ I consider myself blessed that I’m getting a home, so anything else just takes it over the top for me, ” Barbosa said. “ I work really hard to get what I have, so to receive something like that is just wonderful. ”
Without Habitat for Humanity Benton County, Barbosa said, owning a home would have been impossible.
“ I was wasting a lot of money on rent before, but there was nothing I could do to change that, ” Barbosa said. “ I’m a single mother with two children. Now, I’m going to have a home payment I can afford. This is like a dream, and I truly appreciate everything anyone has done for me and my family. ”
According to Debby Wieneke, executive director of Habitat for Humanity Benton County, the Siloam Springs home, figured to appraise for $ 110, 000, is being constructed for $ 65, 000. Habitat for Humanity has worked out an interest-free loan so that that Barbosa will repay the $ 65, 000 over the next 20 years, which will allow her to not only build equity but enhance her family’s life.
“ Heather is such a deserving person, ” Wieneke said. “ She went through a rigorous interview process and waiting period. She wanted to keep her kids in Siloam Springs schools, and she works in Siloam Springs. This is a hand-up, not a handout. ”
Bruce Coleman never set out to become a Habitat for Humanity volunteer, but when he noticed ground was being broken on the project, just two doors south of his home on South Maxwell Street, he decided to get involved. He’s been there helping out in one way or another almost every day since.
“ I’m a retired carpenter, ” Coleman said. “ I wanted to help. It helps the neighborhood. It helps the family. This is a good family. They’ll be a nice addition to the neighborhood. ”
The Siloam Springs project broke ground with $ 35, 000 of the $ 65, 000 in hand. The Siloam Springs branch of Arvest Bank is still collecting donations for the remaining $ 30, 000, while looking for volunteers and companies to provide the labor and materials to finish by Aug. 14.
“ Siloam Springs has really come together to support this effort, ” Wieneke said. “ It’s been very impressive, and I know that’s going to continue. ”
Wieneke anticipates a similar outpouring of support from Pea Ridge when Habitat for Humanity of Benton County breaks ground on its first home there in March.
Habitat for Humanity of Benton County has completed two homes in Gravette this year and is scheduled to begin construction on two more homes — one in Bentonville and another in Rogers — in September. Progress on Habitat for Humanity’s newest concept, the Habitat Trails Development in Rogers, continues. Five of 17 planned Habitat for Humanity homes have been constructed in the development, located near New Hope and Old Wire roads. Habitat Trails homes feature front porches that face a sizable park at the center of the development, as well as walking trails, a wetlands area and more.
To get involved with or learn more about the Siloam Springs project, call Moeller at 215-4631 or Smith at 549-1213.