Special to the
Opelika Observer
On Sept. 14, The Auburn-Opelika Habitat for Humanity celebrated the dedication of Habitat home #66 with more than 100 community leaders, sponsors volunteers and neighbors.
Part of the organization’s mission is building community and this home was built by a community of more than 23 sponsors. This home was constructed as an energy efficient house with the goal of receiving the “Passive House” rating.
Auburn University professors David Hinson and Mike Hosey led students in both the classroom and on the building site. Auburn University’s Rural Studio developed the concept for this smaller $20,000 home.
“This is the largest turnout we have had for a dedication ceremony. We had many community sponsors, a great crowd representing Auburn University, friends and neighbors and many community leaders and volunteers who work regularly on the homes with us,” Mark Grantham, Executive Director for Auburn Opelika Habitat shared.
The keys to the new home located on Stevens Street in Opelika were presented to Michelle Robinson and her daughter Kimberly by Mayor Gary Fuller, Habitat Board President Aaron Friend, Hinson and Hosey.
Habitat partner families participate in the program by volunteering 500 hours of sweat equity, saving a down payment, participate in home ownership and financial education classes and make a monthly no-profit interest mortgage payment. The mortgage payments are recycled to help build more homes.
For more information on Habitat for Humanity call 334-745-2123 or visit the website www.auburnopelikahabitat.org.