In a matter of months, on what is now a just grassy plot of land on Reynolds Avenue in Bellefonte will be a new home for a local family, thanks to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Centre County (HFHGCC) and its supporters.
A ceremonial groundbreaking was held Tuesday morning at the site, and while it may have been rainy, HFHGCC staff, volunteers and the family that will make the new house their home were all smiles.
‘I’m excited we can make a difference for another family in Centre County,’ said Stephanie Fost, executive director. ‘We were started locally in 1983 so it feels very fitting that on our 35 year anniversary this year we’re starting another home.’
The local chapter is one of 1,500 nationwide and since being established in Centre County 35 years ago, it has served more than 60 families. Sometimes that means refurbishing an existing home and sometimes it’s building a new one. Whichever the case, income-qualified families have been able to buy a quality house with a no-interest loan, and at no profit to HFHGCC.
‘The goal is to build simple, decent, affordable housing, and if you live here in Centre County you know that can be quite the challenge,’ Fost said.
Andrey and Olga Berezhnoi, who will be the new homeowners, know how challenging that can be. They’ve been living in a Boalsburg apartment for years, but now have five children and have been trying to find a home that can accommodate their family.
‘We’ve been looking for a home for quite some time, ever since we started having kids,’ said Andrey, a CATA Bus driver for the past nine years. ‘We’ve been living in an apartment and when the kids are little they fit. But as our family started growing it was just hard to find a house that we could live comfortably in. We’ve been looking for a house for quite awhile, and they’re really expensive.’
The Berezhnois applied once previously for a HFHGCC home, but the house that was available wasn’t a good fit because it simply wouldn’t be enough space.
Andrey said his entire family is ‘as excited as can be’ that everything came together this time around.
Board president Ken Smeltzer said Habitat had been looking for a new place to build for about two years before finding the Reynolds Avenue lot at a good price. The Family Services Committee began looking for a family since about December and received five completed applications.
The committee narrows down applications and determines the best fit for a home based on background checks, need and other factors.
Smeltzer said the Berezhnois were approved just in time to add to the plans two bedrooms and a bath in the basement to fully accommodate their family. The house will be about 2,600 square feet.
Once final permits are issued, construction will soon officially begin with help from staff, volunteers and community partners. M&T, Northwest and PNC banks made financial contributions to the project, and PennTerra Engineering, Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc., and Goodco Mechnical are offering their services.
‘We want to make housing available to families that truly need it in the community,’ Fost said. ‘Our staff works tirelessly. I have seen the dedication and passion that they have for helping the families in our community and improving the lives of people in our community.’
She also credited the many volunteers who give their time and effort for construction, as board members and at ReStore, which sells donated used and new home improvement materials with all profits going to HFHGCC.
The new homeowners will play a big part in building their house as well. They are required to contribute 350 hours of ‘sweat equity,’ and while some of that will happen volunteering at ReStore, much will be on the construction site.
‘We can’t wait to dig in,’ said Andrey Berezhnoi.
‘We’re eager to help and we’re going to work hard with you guys,’ Olga Berezhnoi added.
