Israel Nelson
There is a Phoenix House rising from the ashes at 1036 Ronda Way in Palmer. The Phoenix was a mythical bird that has long been part of ancient Greek mythology. The long-lived bird regenerated, or was born again, after being consumed in fire, thus rising from the ashes of its predecessor. The house on Ronda Way is a project of Habitat for Humanity Mat-Su, rising from the ashes of a fire over two years ago.
Since 1995, Habitat for Humanity Mat-Su has provided a “hand up, not a hand out” to individuals and families in need of housing assistance at a reasonable cost. The goal is to provide safe, simple and affordable housing. A Board of Directors, composed of volunteers, supervises the projects. Habitat for Humanity Mat-Su is part of a network of community organizations that are all part of Habitat for Humanity International, a non-denominational Christian organization. Former President Jimmy Carter continues to work on projects even at the age of 95! Every applicant and family is required to contribute 500 hours of “sweat equity” to each building project. Family and friends of the family accepted in the program may also contribute to the project. Each house constructed—or renovated—is sold to the recipient with two mortgages. The first, or primary, mortgage is based in a zero-interest loan. The second mortgage is forgiven over the life of the primary loan so long as the recipient lives in the house. Recipients of the program file an application with the Board of Directors who assign the application to a Family Selection Committee that works with the family to develop the loan criteria for that family. The funds derived from the sale of the property are recycled to develop more funding for more projects. So far, over the course of the program in the last 15 years, 15 houses have been built and sold.
Renovation of the Phoenix House has been extensive. Removal of half the roof over the burned portion of the building was necessary before a new roof could be installed. Renovation also required replacing a quarter of the structure with new framing and wall construction. Then interior partitions needed to be constructed. The next steps are the installation of electrical wiring and plumbing before insulation and dry wall work is done. Building inspections are completed at various points in the project to insure that the building is in compliance with all building codes.
Working on Saturdays, volunteers with construction experience are completing the renovation. This is the third project utilizing the same collection of volunteer laborers. These volunteers are derived principally from Valley churches. In addition, other volunteers from churches provide lunches for the Saturday work crews. The United Protestant Church in Palmer and the Trinity Lutheran Church in Palmer have provided the Saturday lunches.
For more information or to volunteer as a construction worker or lunch provider, please contact Habitat for Humanity Mat-Su at 373-7278 or by email at hhumanity@gci.net or on Face Book at Habitat for Humanity Mat-Su.
