Warren County Habitat for Humanity is closing on a 1,220 square-foot home on Stadium Drive for a Vicksburg family in a few days and plans to complete another in the next three weeks.

The nonprofit Christian organization works with low-income families to build homes with donated materials and labor and no-interest loans.

Habitat 101

How to obtain a Habitat for Humanity home:

• Attend a Habitat for Humanity orientation.

• Submit an application.

• Complete an interview.

• Receive a visit from the Family Selection Committee.

• For information, call the office at 601-634-6633, Abraham Green at 601-218-1355, e-mail wchabitat@bellsouth.net or visit http://www.warrenctyhabitat.org.

“I helped put up siding and insulation, and I helped paint,” said Towanna Anderson, the soon-to-be owner of a new home at 1009 Stadium Drive. “Anything we didn’t have to be licensed for, we did.

Members of The Church of the Holy Trinity, Episcopal, Mount Calvary Baptist Church and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity; employees of DiamondJacks Casino; and students at Alcorn State University also joined in the venture. DiamondJacks and The Home Depot made financial donations to the project as well.

Abraham Green, Warren County Habitat for Humanity executive director, said contributors enabled Habitat to complete Anderson’s home for less than $59,000, whereas most Habitat homes cost about $60,000.

“The flooring and materials were donated by Armstrong Flooring. The refrigerator and stove were donated by Whirlpool. Hardwood floors are not typical for Habitat homes but, in this case, they were donated,” he said.

“I love it,” Anderson said. “I was blessed with the hardwood flooring, which is what I wanted.”

Green hopes to complete four homes by year’s end, including restoring a 206 Winters Lane house in July for flood buyout victim and mother of two Lilly Jones.

“Whatever it costs, we’re going to make it affordable to her,” he said.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and Mississippi Emergency Management Agency are helping Vicksburg and Habitat finish the project, Green said.

The city has appraised her damaged home because she also fits in the low-income range.

Next door to Anderson, at 1005 and 1007 Stadium Drive, Habitat began construction May 4 of two new 1,180 square-foot homes, costing about $65,000 each. Plans were drawn by local architect Paul Ingram and differ from typical “boxy” Habitat plans, Green said.

“We wanted them to fit the styles of other Vicksburg homes,” he said.

Both homes are slated for completion in September.

Mother-of-three Regina Shelton will live at 1005 Stadium Drive, and Helen Hodges, also a mother of three, at 1007.

“This was undeveloped land, which had no tax base because it was donated by First Presbyterian Church,” said Green. “With three homes on the site, it produces taxes for the city and the county. It raised the value of the community.”

Habitat has not had to buy any property, said Family Selection Committee Member Sam Corson, due to donations.

Shelton lives in public housing at Rolling Hills Estates, and Hodges lives in the Beechwood area.

“It was a dream come true for me. It took me this long, but I’m happy. I’m about to own my own house,” said Hodges.

Contributors have cut back on donations prompting Habitat to raise the income range for applicants, Green said.

“Habitat’s typical range is about $12,600 yearly income for a family. We’ve been focused on the low range — about 25 percent of the area medium income of $50,500,” he said. “We had to raise the range to 30 to 60 percent.”

Anderson said she filled out an application, attended a Habitat class and was interviewed before being chosen.

Habitat board of directors determines who has the most need, and the Family Selection Committee makes family visits.

Members follow guidance set by Habitat for Humanity International in addressing an applicant’s willingness to help build, ability to pay a small mortgage and overall need, said Corson.

“The family selection team reviews each application to see if a family meets minimum requirements and does not exceed maximum limitations,” he said.

Each applicant must have a steady income, such as disability, Social Security or retirement. They also have to pass a credit check.

Habitat will open enrollment in November and provide details on the program.

“Our long-range plan is to build four houses a year,” said Green.

Warren County Habitat for Humanity has completed 18 houses since 1991.

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Contact Tish Butts at tbutts@vicksburgpost.com