By SAMANTHA GHOLAR
sgholar@newssun.com
SEBRING -- Highlands County Habitat for Humanity has partnered with the USDA Rural Development Department to construct 60 new homes for families in the Washington Heights area.
Sarah Pallone, director of development and communications for Habitat, is thrilled about the project, which will have its ground-breaking ceremonies at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
"We're excited. This plan has been in the works for about two years. It is monumental not only for us but the families as well," said Pallone.
The community will be named Mason's Ridge in honor of the late Mason G. Smoak, who served as board director for the county's Habitat for Humanity for many years.
Each of the 60 families that will move into the new houses have been in the Habitat program for some time. The USDA approves these families and assigns each a house in the community.
The development of this community is to benefit low- and moderate-income families with safe and affordable houses; however, this project is unique in one other way.
"This is the first time USDA has partnered with us for a green community," Pallone said. Each home in the community will be built to use natural energy to power the utilities of the house.
The houses will contain with top-quality Energy Star appliances and Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs). The SIPs, along with the appliances and other energy-efficient mechanisms in the homes, will cut monthly utility bills by 50 percent, according to Pallone.
The SIP panels are the latest in smart/green technology. The panels guarantee that no mold, mildew, rot or termites will affect the homes and are strong enough to endure 200 mph winds.
The first phase of the development involves the first 20 homes being started Saturday. It will be completed and the families will be able to move into their homes by the end of next June.
"Mason's Ridge is evidence of God's grace and goodness and reinforces in our minds that God is still in the blessing business. For 60 families in Highlands County this project will be the fulfillment of the dream of owning their own home," said Executive Director John Hawthorne.
Phases 2 and 3 will also have 20 homes each.
Development of the community will involve numerous volunteers and several local businesses and financial institutions providing various services and financial support. About $1.5 million goes back to the local vendors who assist with the development of this community.
"The effort that went into the development and construction of the project is an example of how committed partners like the Highlands County Board of Commissioners and staff, the City of Sebring, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Heartland National Bank, SIPS Team USA, individual and corporate donors, vendors, contractors and volunteers come together for the good of the less fortunate," Hawthorne stated.
The groundbreaking ceremony will take place at the crossroads of Martin Luther King Boulevard and Cemetery Road. The families of the first phase of homes, contributing businesses and vendors, as well as the Smoak family, will be in attendance.
Friday, August 13, 2010 - www.newssun.com/0813-sg-Habitat