April 14, 2003
Faculty, students, trustees complete Habitat Home
Belmont University faculty, staff, students and trustees found time on their spring weekends to sponsor and build a home for Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity (NAHFH). The dedication for the four-bedroom home built for Eureka Lewis and her four children took place on April 13, 2003. The family received the keys to their new four-bedroom home at the dedication.
This was the university’s first involvement with NAHFH, but it won’t be their last. “This project has generated such a great atmosphere on campus that we have decided to start a Belmont University chapter of Habitat next year,” said Mack Hannah, Vice President of Spiritual Development.
“Habitat’s values are the same as Belmont’s values. That’s why we decided to fund a home, “ added Hannah. “It is truly as the scripture says: it is far better to give than receive. To be there with Eureka and her family has brought a lot of camaraderie to Belmont and our campus.”
Ms. Lewis successfully completed the requirements to earn a NAHFH home; she invested 300 “sweat equity” hours, completed home maintenance and budgeting classes, and saved money for the closing costs. Additionally, she will be responsible for paying a no-interest, principal only mortgage payment for 20 to 30 years. She and her family accumulated sweat equity hours by helping build three Habitat homes, in addition to their own.
Ms. Lewis, a phone operator for Flake-Wilkerson Market Insight, decided to withdraw from her cramped apartment in Section 8 Housing and turned to NAHFH for help, wanting a better, safer, more private residence for herself and her children.
The Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity was organized in 1985 as a non-profit, ecumenical ministry that builds quality, affordable homes in partnership with families in need and the Nashville community. To date, NAHFH has built 166 homes in Nashville. Rainwood is a 70-home subdivision built in conjunction with Affordable Housing located in the Briley Parkway/Brick Church Pike area of northeast Davidson County.
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