ROCKLAND, Maine — A weeklong building blitz will mean homes for two more families. The construction of two 1,200-square-foot houses on Brewster Street was completed this weekend thanks to a volunteer effort spearheaded by Midcoast Habitat for Humanity.
This is the largest single undertaking by the Habitat for Humanity chapter that was formed in 1990. The two Brewster Street residences are the 29th and 30th homes erected locally by the group.
“It’s been an amazing collaboration,” Tia Anderson, the chapter’s executive director, said.
This is part of a nationwide effort by Habitat chapters.
In Rockland, Cold Mountain Builders, Phi Home Designs, subcontractors and suppliers built the homes on the lot adjacent to a home the chapter completed earlier this year. Anderson said up to 80 workers pitched in during the past week to get the homes built.
The volunteer workers were there when the sun rose and remained there well into the night.
The two homes have three bedrooms and one and three-quarters bathrooms. The only difference between the two homes is the color of the siding.
A family has been selected for one of the homes. Harmony Fuller and her 5-year-old son, Maddox, will be moving in once all the final touches are completed. Fuller has already put in sweat equity into the construction, Anderson said.
Habitat is going through applications for the second home as well. The house that was completed next door earlier this year has yet to be hooked up with a family. That home, with 1,500 square feet over three stories, is for a large family, featuring four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths.
The Habitat chapter, located in Rockport, also offers rehabilitation, weatherization and repairs to homes. In addition, Habitat operates a second-hand store on Route 90 in Rockport, offers homebuyer and financial education services and provides post-purchase support.
Habitat offers the opportunity of homeownership with zero interest mortgage to qualifying families who earn 30 percent to 80 percent of the area median household income. Selection also is based on a family’s ability to pay and willingness to volunteer with Habitat.
The median household income in Knox County for 2014 was $50,515, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.