For one local veteran and his family, the door to a new home is about to open.
Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester dedicates an affordable condominium at 11 Gibbs St. on Monday, July 20, marking the completion of a home that will soon belong to the veteran family.
The 991-square-foot Unit 20B has two bedrooms and two bathrooms and is located near shopping, schools, parks and major highways, according to an announcement from the organization. The veteran and his family are expected to attend the 10 a.m. dedication ceremony, along with speakers and supporters of the project.
The home is part of Habitat for Humanity’s work to expand affordable homeownership opportunities for families and veterans across Greater Worcester and MetroWest. The organization serves 42 cities and towns in the region.
Unlike traditional housing assistance programs, Habitat’s homeownership model requires participating families to work alongside volunteers in the process. Partner families contribute 300 hours of what the organization calls “sweat equity,” helping build homes while learning skills intended to prepare them for successful homeownership.
Families then repay an affordable mortgage based on their income.
The organization credited Side by Side Charitable Organization with supporting the Gibbs Street project as well as several of its veteran-focused initiatives, including affordable home construction, home repairs and Operation Playhouse.
Habitat for Humanity describes its approach with the motto “a hand up, not a handout,” emphasizing that the organization builds homes with participating families rather than simply providing homes to them, according to the announcement.
The July 20 ceremony will mark the latest step in that process for a veteran family preparing to make the Gibbs Street condominium its own.
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