The American dream of home ownership will come true for a Polk County family. A groundbreaking ceremony will take place in the Habitat neighborhood on Fred Lyles Circle, Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 3 p.m. The entire community is invited to participate in this ceremonial event.

The home is part of the State Employees’ Credit Union Habitat “Mountains to Sea” Challenge announced by SECU Foundation last year in support of Habitat’s mission to create affordable housing opportunities for families in need.

Representatives from SECU will join officials from Thermal Belt Habitat and community supporters to celebrate the special occasion.

Credit Union members, via the SECU Foundation, provided a $10 million investment for Habitats across North Carolina to build one new or renovated Habitat home in each of the state’s 100 counties over a three-year period.

Thermal Belt Habitat President and CEO Ron Laughter said, “This project provides Habitat with a wonderful opportunity to form a partnership with State Employees’ Credit Union members and the SECU Foundation to eliminate poverty and substandard housing. We are grateful for their support in helping us tackle the affordable housing crisis in Polk County.”

Through the use of volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat homes are sold to homeowners with an interest-free mortgage and monthly payments set at less than 30 percent of the homeowner’s income, making homeownership an affordable reality. Habitat homeowners must qualify financially for the program; save $1,000 toward their closing costs; attend a series of educational classes focusing on homeownership, budgeting and home maintenance; and complete 400 hours of “sweat equity” by volunteering at Habitat. Homes are then sold to them at no profit on an interest-free mortgage.

Since 1983, Thermal Belt Habitat for Humanity has provided more than 75 families a safe and affordable place to live.

The groundbreaking ceremony will take place at Lot #2 on Fred Lyles Circle, Tryon, N.C. For more information, please call Thermal Belt Habitat for Humanity at 828-694-0340.

– submitted by Angie Hunter