Special to Dorchester Banner/Habitat Choptank
Linda Nabb, of the Nathan Foundation, joins with other Habitat supporters to celebrate the growth of Habitat Choptank’s affordable home ownership program to Hurlock. From left: Nora Skiver, Habitat homeowner from Cambridge, Cindy Stevens, Habitat Choptank board member, Ms. Nabb, and Greg Whitten, board president.[/caption] HURLOCK — The Nathan Foundation has made a grant to support the construction of the inaugural Habitat home in Hurlock. Last fall, Habitat for Humanity Choptank announced plans to expand its self-help affordable home ownership program to the Town of Hurlock. A building permit has been approved for the first home which will be constructed on Charles Street. The Town donated this parcel to Habitat last year. The Nathan Foundation’s grant will fund the cost of the foundation for the three bedroom and one bath single family house. When completed, the energy efficient home will be sold to an income-qualifying buyer with an affordable mortgage. Habitat Choptank is accepting applications from prospective homebuyers who could purchase this and future homes in Hurlock. Since 1992, Habitat Choptank has empowered 68 working households from Talbot and Dorchester counties to build the stability, security and self-reliance that comes from buying a home with a monthly payment they can afford. Each buyer contributed 300-400 hours of “sweat equity” in the building of those houses before going to settlement. While selling its homes to mostly first time and even first generation homebuyers, Habitat Choptank continues to maintain a less than 2 percent foreclosure rate with only one home foreclosed over its 24-year history. Currently, eight buyers are working through Habitat’s multi-step program toward the goal of buying homes that are underway in Cambridge and Easton. For information about home ownership, to volunteer with Habitat Choptank or to make a donation, visit www.habitatchoptank.org or call 410-476-3204.