Left-right-Nici Lang-Smith, Terry Smith-homeowner and Denise Pask
Story/photos-by Julie Carasone
Terry Smith has big plans for his new home at 50 Oak Street in the City of Batavia.
“I happened to walk into the Restore store (on Ellicott Street) to look around and spoke to Jaylene and applied for the program. I did this for my kids,” says Smith.
He spent 2-3 years rebuilding his credit and working at the home to get to this point, but Smith is finally a homeowner.
“The backyard is what sold me.”
Working for a concrete company, he has plans to build a patio and backyard oasis for family and friends.
“I have dreams to do it up nice.”
Jaylene Smith-Kilner, Executive Director at Habitat for Humanity in Genesee County, says once approved for a home, clients have certain criteria to meet. Those eligibility requirements include an ability to pay, need for a home, and sweat equity. Sweat equity is when the homeowner puts in up to 500 hours of building their own home along with the volunteers. These sweat equity hours can be performed by friends and family and even children who can earn credit for sweat equity hours by getting good grades in school.
City Manager Rachael Tableski, and many other volunteers were in attendance to welcome Terry Smith and his family into his new home. Genesee County Habitat for Humanity is currently working on another home at 113 S. Main Street and potentially a second home soon.
Being a huge University of Alabama “Roll Tide” fan, there will be a new “A” on the garage and welcome signs showing pride for the University of Alabama.
“It will be an Alabama home,” says Smith.
For more information on how to apply for a home with Habitat for Humanity you can go to https://www.geneseehabitat.com/
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