Thank you to Lighthouse Bank for sponsoring Habitat for the Federal Home Loan Bank Grant. We were awarded $15,000 for construction at Dawn Lane.
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“The availability of quality affordable housing is a real problem for us here in Santa Cruz County. The work done by Habitat for Humanity provides solutions and it does so in the best of ways as it also enables home ownership. We are extremely honored to be a part of that process.” |
-Richard G. Hofstetter, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lighthouse Bank
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We are building in Scotts Valley!
On March 17th, by unanimous vote, the Scotts Valley City Council approved up to $300,000 in Redevelopment funds for our Blake Lane project! We will be closing escrow soon to purchase the land for the 2-3 unit development, which when complete, will be purchased by selected families living or working in Scotts Valley at 0% interest.
"Scotts Valley's redevelopment agency has set aside 20 percent of its generated revenue for low-income housing since the 1990s. Currently, there is more than $3 million available for low-income housing that can only be spent to develop "affordable" homes in Scotts Valley. Low-income is defined at being 120 percent or less than the moderate income of $97,600 for a family of four." said the Scotts Valley Press Banner in a follow-up story.
Many thanks to the Scotts Valley City Council for their support of Habitat's new project. This new affordable housing is in line with the city's general plan housing element, which calls for about 100 additional affordable homes in Scotts Valley by 2014. We agree with Jim Reed, the Mayor of Scotts Valley when he said "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."
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Frederick Street Build Announced
We have purchased an inclusionary property on Frederick Street as part of the EMIA Harbor Home Development located adjacent to Frederick Street Park. It will be a 3 bedroom single-family detached unit. Inclusionary units are a great way for HfHSCC to build low-income homes in Santa Cruz, and since we are the county's number one low-income developer, we are poised to meet the needs of development when it comes to inclusionary units. We plan on beginning the Fredrick Street build in the next couple of months.
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In Time for the Holidays
12/22/2009
In mid-November Habitat completed the rehabilitation of the 3 bedroom unit at Andy Kriege Corner, and on December 22, 2009, the Estrada family received the keys to their new home! The rehabilitation work consisted of new interior and exterior paint, new carpeting, replacement of bathroom fixtures, new washer/dryer, new refrigerator and new stove. After receiving the keys to their new home, the Estrada family left to get their sleeping bags in order to spend the night in their new home. Their plan-wake up early the next day and get moved in before Christmas! Read about it in the Sentinel!
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| Exterior rehab before |
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| Exterior rehab after |
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Digging in for Habitat: (Left to right) Jon Hooper, Melanie Shaffer Freitas, Mike Bethke, County Supervisor John Leopold, Dale Bridenbaugh, Tom Morell, Maeve O'Hara, Eve Morell, and Bridgid O'Hara
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Dawn Lane Groundbreaking Celebration
10/10/2009
The Groundbreaking ceremony for the Dawn Lane unit was a wonderful and exciting day. In addition to the groundbreaking, we had Supervisor John Leopold from theCounty Board of Supervisors participate and speak to the group of 60 or more persons who attended. In addition, we celebrated the burning of the mortgage of one of our Habitat homeowners. The family members spoke about how important the Habitat home was to them as they grew up. One of the sons, who is now an adult, said that living in the Habitat home allowed him to stay in school and not have to get a job like his friends to help pay his family's rent. He went on to college, as did his brother, and is now a software engineer in Silicon Valley. We also celebrated the day with a delicious barbeque lunch donated by our Board member, Jennifer Parks, and honored four long-time volunteers (Judi Cobb, Dan Kriege, Dale Bridenbaugh and Jon Hooper). Read more in the Sentinel article.
Great News!
10/10/2009
Two Habitat Homeowners have paid off their mortgage!
Habitat Santa Cruz has built 32 homes in the past 20 years and, in addition to constructing homes, has also provided mortgages to the homeowners. We are pleased to announce that 2 of our homeowners have paid off their mortgages! They are now in the wonderful position of having a paid-off home. Both families are proud of their accomplishments and continue to enjoy their Habitat homes. Read about it in the Sentinel.
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New homeowner Hayde Torres prepares to burn the mortgage on her Habitat for Humanity home during a ceremony Saturday in Soquel. Michael Bethke joins the celebration.
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Habitat Homeowners Receive Landscaping
8/25/2009
Landscape designer Treesa Rogerson of Ecology by Design and Josh Fodor or Central Coast Wilds donated their time, talents and plants to landscape a slope in front of three Habitat for Humanity homes in Soquel. To read full article in the Sentinel click on this link Beautifying the Block.
7/17/2009
Plans are in the works to start a new home build, as well as a rehab on an existing Habitat home in the fall. Volunteer Opportunities are available.
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Frederick Street Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Habitat for Humanity Santa Cruz County invites you to the Frederick Street Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Frederick Street Park Saturday, September 11, 2010 at 10am. Enjoy a welcome from Vice Mayor Ryan Coonerty to signify the beginning of construction of our 34th Habitat House. We will also be presenting the house keys to two new Habitat families on their recently completed construction. Parking is limited to please park at Santa Cruz Bible at 440 Frederick St., or Star of the Sea at 515 Frederick St. and we will shuttle you to the park.
View and print flyer for this event.
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Habitat's Autumn Fundraiser
Planning has begun for the Habitat Autumn Fundraiser which will be raising much needed funds for the Frederick Street build. Stay tuned for more information!
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Board of Directors Meetings
Board of Directors meetings are on the third Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM at the Habitat Santa Cruz office.
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May 8, 2010 Human Race Fundraiser.
Many thanks to those of you who walked, ran, or strolled for Habitat at the 30th Annual Human Race on May 8, 2010 in Santa Cruz. The money you raised will help us to finish the Dawn Lane home.
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Special thanks to The Tiara Ladies, Andrew Schafer, Roteract, the Shadowbrook, and the Kappa Gamma Delta Sorority, Team Sigma, and all the unknown Habitat walkers! Read more...
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Open Architecture Tour 2010 Cancelled
We are sad to announce that due to the current economic climate, the Architect’s Association of Santa Cruz County has cancelled the 2010 Open Architecture Tour. We know this was not an easy decision for the AASCC, and we appreciate the thoughtful consideration they gave to the ongoing success of the Tour prior to making this announcement.
Their desire to continue to offer a stellar Tour experience, and an excellent value for attendees, sponsors, advertisers, and presenting architects, speaks to the caliber of the AASCC. We appreciate all of the effort and work that the Architect’s Association put into the 2010 event, and we are grateful for their generous and optimistic spirit as they begin planning for the Open Architecture Tour of 2011!
We want to thank those of you who did sign up to be a part of this event, and we look forward to working with you again next year. For those of you who are having difficulty during these times, we send you our best, and continued good wishes for your economic wellbeing, and for that of our community as a whole.
Thank you for your ongoing support of the work of Habitat for Humanity Santa Cruz County.
Read the AASCC Letter.
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