Building a home for a veteran and her family
in Springfield Township was just the beginning
for My Habitat Clarkston.
Now the local Habitat for Humanity group
has set its sights on property in Independence
Township.
‘These homes are for people who just
need a little push to get ahead and own a
home,? said Julie Nemeth, volunteer. ‘The
property is not just given away, the
homeowners must acquire a mortgage. They
are viable homeowners.”
The township acquired the property by
paying $13,000 in back taxes to Oakland
County. The township got its money back
from Habitat for Humanity, with support and
donations from local businesses like
Clarkston State Bank.
A community kick-off day is July 20 from
8 a.m.-12 p.m. in the cafeteria of Sashabaw
Middle School, said Grant Smith, CEO of
Clarkston State Bank.
‘Everyone is welcome and we are asking
for businesses to sponsor a booth,” Smith
said. “It will be a great day for the community
to get together. We will also be laying out the
dates and we will have a sign-up sheet so
people can volunteer to do various types of
work ? it’s a project that requires many skills.?
They also need supplies and materials.
During the remodeling process, the volunteers
need 28 lunches so there is an opportunity
to help there, too.
Habitat partners with local organizations,
and is also assisted by donations from local
businesses like the CSB, a business consistently
recognized during projects that benefit
the community.
Nemeth said Independence Township
Treasurer Paul Brown did a lot of work acquiring
the foreclosed house on Everest
Drive. It was purchased by the township after
the state of Michigan passed on its first
right to the home.The township has second
rights to purchase tax foreclosed properties.
‘It is a process to get the home,? said
Brown, adding he had to act quickly to acquire
the property. ‘We were notified and we
had three days to decide. I wrote to the
county and we reached an agreement.?
Brown has the authority to purchase property
under a resolution passed by township
officials. The township cannot profit from the
property and any proceeds made from the
home goes into Oakland County coffers. If
the township passed on the property, it
would go to auction.
‘Right now the house is in terrible condition,”
said Brown. ‘The neighborhood deserves
this home to look better.”
Many volunteers and donations are
needed to make the property a home, and it
will take a lot of work to complete the project.
Habitat Oakland CEO Tim Ruggles said
the group has helped over 150 people have a
home of their own over the past 20 years.
“We require each Habitat homeowner put
in 300 hours of sweat equity,” said Ruggles.
Sweat equity mean the future homeowner
puts in a lot of work on the home. They must
also be in a position to pay the mortgage.
Volunteers are needed, Smith said.
‘When volunteers donate their time helping
with such a project, it is neighbors helping
neighbors,? he said.
Clarkston is strong when it comes to helping
their neighbors, he said.
‘Clarkston is one of the strongest areas
in Oakland County who are participating and
giving their time to projects,? added Ruggles.
Habitat projects currently include two others,
one in Waterford and another in
Southfield.
‘Oakland County is a wealthy county, but
the need is still great ? Ruggles said.
For more information on donating, volunteering
or becoming a corporate sponsor,
please call 248-338-1843.