By MOLLIE BROWN / Community Columnist

The Greater Birmingham Habitat for Humanity began building homes in the Shiloh Creek subdivision in 2007. The development was made possible with assistance from a $98,000 Affordable Housing Program grant through BancorpSouth and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas. Construction of 15 homes has been completed to date.

Habitat builds quality, affordable housing for low and moderate income families. Habitat Family Development Coordinator Tiffany Rouse said it usually takes 6-12 months to get into a home. Families receive an interest-free mortgage on the home after completing “sweat equity.”

“Potential homeowners are required to invest their time and talents to build themselves, and other families, affordable housing,” Rouse said. “Applicants must first attend an application workshop to learn about eligibility requirements and then submit a formal application.”

Tilwana Conwell is a Shiloh Creek homeowner through the program. She performed her sweat equity through helping with homes under construction, working at the Birmingham Habitat Outlet located in Irondale and helping interested applicants at workshops.

“I never thought I’d be a homeowner,” Conwell said. “Through Habitat for Humanity my dream came true, they made it happen. I dedicated my home on November 8, 2012.”

Habitat is seeking applicants for to-be-constructed homes in Shiloh Creek. A workshop scheduled for Thursday, April 11, at Calera Intermediate School on U.S. 31 will begin at 6 p.m.

For more information call 780-1234 or visit Habitatbirmingham.org.

 

Mollie Brown is a business columnist for the Shelby County Reporter. She can be reached at dmjhb1@bellsouth.net.