Mar 20, 2006 By Patty Yauger 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – Council action to partner with Habitat for Humanity could potentially afford new homes to two families before the end of the year. Mayor Judy Reed, who proposed the action that would turn over the land parcels, said she is “anxious” to get the process started.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for a new, young family,” she said.

The properties designated include a .14-acre lot located at 113 N. Sixth St. and a similar-sized lot at 1107 Sycamore St.

The North Sixth Street property is currently titled to the city, while a mortgage company holds the deed for the Sycamore Street site.

“We’re working very closely with the mortgage company to get the (Sycamore Street) property,” said Reed. “That’s a residential neighborhood and we would like to have a nice home there; it is important for our tax base.”

According to the Fayette County Tax Assessment Office, the vacant North Sixth Street property is valued at $5,470. The city has owned the property since 1996 and is exempt from paying taxes on the parcel.

Harvey Upton, who was convicted last year of setting fire to the house, at one time owned the Southside-area property. The land is valued at $14,040, according to county assessment records.

Reed said if a deal is struck with the mortgage holder, it would include the demolition of the burnt structure to make way for new home construction.

The turnover of the properties to Habitat for Humanity would be the city’s contribution to the project, added Reed.

“We would meet our (financial) obligation with the action,” she said.

John Morgan, executive director for the Fayette County branch of Habitat for Humanity, said it is a partnering program that seeks assistance through civic groups, individuals, schools, organizations and government agencies to help those in need.

The organization, he added, has targeted the city’s bicentennial parade date of April 29 to break ground for the new home construction and reinvigorate the county program.

“A vacant lot is nothing more than an eyesore or a place to collect neighborhood trash is much less valuable to a community than a home with a family,” he said.

Once built, the property assessment ranges from $75,000 to $90,000, depending upon its location.

“The pride of home ownership and all that goes with it helps the entire community,” said Morgan.

While 200,000 homes have been constructed worldwide by the organization in its 30-year existence, the county has only had one new home built during its six-year program, he said.

According to Morgan, an assessment conducted by him indicates that 1,250 county families are eligible to take part in the program.

Participants must meet certain criteria including the demonstration of a need for housing, ability to pay a mortgage, provide a $500 down payment and agree to invest a minimum of 350 hours in construction of the home or assisting the Habitat ministry.

The organization has full authority as to participating families and oversees the financial arrangements for the purchase of the home.

If participants meet the criteria, a three-bedroom home, costing approximately $56,000, would require an estimated $230 monthly payment.

Reed, meanwhile, said she is working with city solicitor Gretchen Mundorff to obtain the Sycamore Street parcel, so that title to both properties can go to the organization.

“We want to get started,” she said.