First ever habitat house in Green River

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On May 17, the first ever Habitat for Humanity house in Green River broke ground. In attendance for this historic event was the Habitat for Humanity of Castle Country board members, AmeriCorps NCCC Silver 4, residents and supporters of Green River, and the Mendoza family. Husband and wife, Adan and Delia, along with their children, AB and Lezly Mendoza, make up the prospective family for this house.
Habitat is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian ministry founded on the conviction that every man, woman, and child should have a decent, safe and affordable place to live. Habitat builds with people in need regardless of race or religion, and welcomes volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds. Habitat builds simple, decent, and affordable homes for those in need.
In addition to contributing a minimum of 500 hours in “sweat equity,” Habitat homeowners repay the full price of the house through a 0 percent interest mortgage that Habitat for Humanity of Castle Country holds. Income from the mortgages is then used to build more Habitat houses. Habitat serves families that fall within 50-80 percent of the area median income. In Green River, this equates to $14,000-$28,400 in gross household income for the year. Partner families are chosen through application.
An affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, Habitat for Humanity of Castle Country has built five houses in Carbon and Emery counties since its founding in 1989. With this house in Green River, two houses are currently under construction and the other house is in Wellington.
The Green River house is located at 120 S. Solomon and was designed by Epicenter with a focus on durable and efficient materials, 1064 SF, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, 2×6 construction 2′ on center to increase insulation and reduce heat transfer, low-E double-glazed windows, 40-year warranty fiber-cement board siding, metal roof, well insulated, 9′ interior ceiling heights with a vaulted ceiling in the living room, crawlspace construction, raised-heel trusses, whole house fan, hardwood floors, central heating and cooling.
Habitat depends on volunteers from the community along with private donations. Currently, $25,000 is still needed for the house to be funded. All donations are tax-deductible. Jack Forinash (Epicenter Director, Habitat Board Member, and Project Manager) coordinates material, cash donations, services in-kind,, and volunteer groups, and he can be contacted at 564-3330 or jack@greenriverepicenter.org.
The Mendoza family has already worked 40 hours of the required 500 hours total in the first week. In addition to the family volunteering to work on their home, groups like Bike & Build, Adventure in Youth Missions, St. Joseph’s Collegiate Challenge, and AmeriCorps NCCC Silver 4 have already donated their time or intend to do so before Sept. 17. The house is scheduled to be finished just in time for Melon Days. Habitat houses cannot happen without volunteer labor, so schedule an afternoon to come and swing a hammer today.
Habitat for Humanity of Castle Country would like to thank their sponsors and partners: The George S. and Dolores D. Eccles Foundation, Epicenter, The Union Pacific Fund, The Friends of P.A.C.T., Collegiate Challenge at St. Joseph’s University, AmeriCorps, Meadow Homes Inc., Jones Paint and Glass, P&D Hardware, Double E Construction, Bike & Build, Whirlpool, Dow Chemicals, and Valspar Painting.
For more information on Habitat locally visit www.hfhcc.tumblr.com or www.greenriverepicenter.org, call (435) 637-9701 or (435) 564-3330, or email info@greenriverepicenter.org.