HAMLET — Habitat for Humanity of the N.C. Sandhills is looking for volunteers to help with upcoming projects in Richmond County.
The next build will be on Rosemont Avenue in the Briarwood neighborhood, according to Executive Director Amie Fraley.
“We have several lots we are able to build on (in) this community, and we (are) hoping to continue the increased production we had over the past year,” Fraley said in an email.
She said there are still open slots for build days on Thursdays and Saturdays, Sept. 23-Oct. 16 still available.
“If your workplace, church, neighborhood or family can join us on a build day, we promise a fun and fulfilling day of learning and laughing while making it possible for someone to build their home and purchase it with a guaranteed, affordable mortgage,” Fraley said.
Volunteers, she said, help Habitat to keep construction costs down and to serve more families.
Fraley said Habitat estimates that each volunteer hour is worth $25.
The organization is also seeking volunteers to help with repairs to four homes in Dobbins Heights on Tuesday.
Habitat has sold two homes — one in Rockingham, the other in Hamlet — and has provided more than 20 “critical repairs” — repairs exceeding $5,000 and addressing “a dire safety need for the homeowner” — in Richmond County within the past year, according to Fraley.
She added that Habitat is using its final funds from the Urgent Repair Program awarded last year by the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency and is accepting applications to use the funds awarded this year.
“All of these funds are coming from outside of Richmond County to help families within the county who may not otherwise be able to have safe and affordable housing,” Fraley said. “We will also be using our Home Preservation Grant through the USDA for an additional $100,000 or more in repairs in Richmond County.”
Habitat has generated more than $500,000 in funding from outside the county for local families, Fraley said, in addition to the funding provided by businesses and organizations in the county.
“We appreciate the support from Rockingham First United Methodist Church, Enviva, the Cole Foundation and Richmond County United Way as local financial supporters that we need as leverage and matches for some of these funds,” Fraley said. “With additional local financial support, we believe we can continue to increase the benefit to Richmond County families.
To sign up for the Dobbins Heights repairs, visit: http://vhub.at/repairs
To sign up for the build in Hamlet, visit: http://vhub.at/richmondhabitatbuild
For more information about volunteering or Habitat, contact Fraley at afraley@sandhillshabitat.org or Christy Brewer at volunteer@sandhillshabitat.org. You can also contact the office at 910-295-1934.
