DuPage Habitat celebrates dedication of two houses in West Chicago
This Christmas, two families will receive gifts too big to fit under the tree.
The Wells and Gibson families will cut the ribbons on and receive keys to their new homes in the Pioneer Prairie community in West Chicago. DuPage Habitat for Humanity will close a busy year with a celebratory dedication of the two homes on Sunday, Dec. 4.
DuPage Habitat is the local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, an ecumenical Christian housing ministry dedicated to helping limited-income families achieve the dream of homeownership.
“It means so much to my family and me to move into our new home, especially right before the holidays,” a member of the Wells family said. “We’re so happy and proud to be part of the Pioneer Prairie community and to have reached the goal of homeownership with DuPage Habitat for Humanity.”
The event also marks the completion of the Pioneer Prairie development, which started in June 2009. The three-acre residential subdivision includes 11 energy-efficient detached, single-family homes that embody Habitat’s commitment to cost-conscious development and environmentally conscious design.
The plans for the innovative West Chicago community incorporated technical advice from a team of green experts for use in DuPage Habitat’s first green community.
“The Pioneer Prairie community is truly a community undertaking. It has been built, in large part, by volunteers and funded through donations from corporations, faith-based groups, individuals and government in our community,” DuPage Habitat Executive Director Sarah Brachle said.
Leadership sponsors on the project include: Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Matrex Exhibits, Ambitech Engineering, American Bankers Association, Tyndale House Publishers, IBEW Local 701 and Northeastern Illinois NECA, Trinity Lutheran Church in Lisle, Goldman Sachs, Air-Rite Heating and Cooling, ComEd, Mark and Denise Fessler, Nicor, Painters and Allied Trades Union (District 30), Seyfarth Shaw LLP, and Showalter Roofing. The project also has received funding from the DuPage County Department of Community Commission’s CDBG and HOME programs.
DuPage Habitat for Humanity builds and sells homes to qualified hardworking, limited-income families. Families must earn sufficient income to pay their 30-year mortgages to DuPage Habitat. In addition, homeowners complete 250 sweat-equity hours helping build their home and neighbors’ homes, as well as participate in finance, budgeting and home-repair classes. All Habitat homeowners pay local property taxes, utilities and insurance.
“Being a Habitat partner family is so much more than building a house,” a member of the Gibson family said. “We build relationships, partnerships and a sense of community through sweat equity. You realize that so many people care, worked and gave to make my dream a reality.”
Families interested in partnering with DuPage Habitat on the journey to homeownership must attend an information session. The last one for 2011 is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, at the DuPage Habitat Office, 1600 E. Roosevelt Road, Wheaton. All applicants must be present and on time for the session and must stay for the entire presentation to be eligible. For details, visit dupagehabitat.org.