A new federal grant is aiming to clean up vacant, foreclosed homes in Monroe County and a familiar organization is taking on the task.
Habitat for Humanity is known for building affordable housing from the ground up with the help of volunteers. However with more and more homes left vacant because of foreclosure, the Monroe County chapter is trying something new.
John Bachofer is a volunteer at Project Snow Flake, the latest Monroe County Habitat for Humanity home near Long Pond. The house will go to William and Koleel Frieson of Tobyhanna. "It really means a lot to our family because the one we live in now is kind of too small for us. We are cramped up and our kids are getting bigger," Koleel said.
Five more Monroe County families could soon get the same opportunity; not in newly built homes like Project Snow Flake but in one of the growing number of foreclosed homes in the area. It's all part of an $825, 000 federal grant.
"The grant specific for Monroe County is meant to acquire foreclosed homes, to rehab them and put them back on the market for affordable housing," said Executive Director Leslie Howes.
According to Howes, the plan is to buy five foreclosed homes in the boroughs of Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg and Mount Pocono over the next three years. Howes said the foreclosed projects will be the same as the Project Snow Flake, where client families are responsible for sweat equity hours as well as paying affordable mortgage payments once they move into the homes.
"We are going to use mostly all volunteers. We are still looking for the same income level for our partner families," added Howes.
Habitat for Humanity said the benefits will be two-fold; more affordable housing for families like the Frieson's and fewer vacant homes bringing down the housing market in Monroe County.
"I think it's a wonderful opportunity all around," said Howes. "For the county, our affiliate and just volunteers in general."
Monroe County Habitat for Humanity hopes to select two foreclosed homes in the next few months. The Frieson's hope to move to their new home by Christmas.
Habitat for Humanity is known for building affordable housing from the ground up with the help of volunteers. However with more and more homes left vacant because of foreclosure, the Monroe County chapter is trying something new.
John Bachofer is a volunteer at Project Snow Flake, the latest Monroe County Habitat for Humanity home near Long Pond. The house will go to William and Koleel Frieson of Tobyhanna. "It really means a lot to our family because the one we live in now is kind of too small for us. We are cramped up and our kids are getting bigger," Koleel said.
Five more Monroe County families could soon get the same opportunity; not in newly built homes like Project Snow Flake but in one of the growing number of foreclosed homes in the area. It's all part of an $825, 000 federal grant.
"The grant specific for Monroe County is meant to acquire foreclosed homes, to rehab them and put them back on the market for affordable housing," said Executive Director Leslie Howes.
According to Howes, the plan is to buy five foreclosed homes in the boroughs of Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg and Mount Pocono over the next three years. Howes said the foreclosed projects will be the same as the Project Snow Flake, where client families are responsible for sweat equity hours as well as paying affordable mortgage payments once they move into the homes.
"We are going to use mostly all volunteers. We are still looking for the same income level for our partner families," added Howes.
Habitat for Humanity said the benefits will be two-fold; more affordable housing for families like the Frieson's and fewer vacant homes bringing down the housing market in Monroe County.
"I think it's a wonderful opportunity all around," said Howes. "For the county, our affiliate and just volunteers in general."
Monroe County Habitat for Humanity hopes to select two foreclosed homes in the next few months. The Frieson's hope to move to their new home by Christmas.
