WWAY — Brunswick County Habitat for Humanity has started construction on its first subdivision.
Karen Pearson’s home is the first of 10 houses planned for the site off Old Fayetteville Road in Leland.
“And I’m seeing the foundation — I’m just totally blown away. It feels like a dream, it really does,” Pearson said.
Habitat for Humanity partners with individuals and families who qualify for its homeownership program. Participants are required to complete “sweat equity” hours by helping build homes and volunteering at Habitat ReStore locations. They purchase their homes with a low-interest mortgage.
Pearson, a single adult applicant, must complete 300 sweat equity hours. Of those, 100 were required before construction could begin.
Her mentor, Richard Shakar, has worked with several Habitat homeowners.
“She put that first hundred hours in in no time at all, and she’s worked on the other hundred. She’ll put some more hours with her family,” Shakar said.
“Just watching her go at it while balancing all the other aspects of her life has been truly amazing.”
Pearson said the neighborhood setting will offer shared experiences with others in the program.
“This way we are all in the same situation more or less, and we know we have neighbors, and it’s kind of like a comfort,” she said.
She also said she is preparing for the financial responsibilities of homeownership.
“I paid off all my debt, I don’t have a car payment anymore, and I don’t pay rent to my family. So I am saving, saving, saving, and I am really confident that this is the next step for me.”
Brunswick County Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1993. The organization is preparing to begin construction on its 100th home and has announced plans for a second subdivision in Calabash.
