House was donated by generous family and rehabbed by Habitat volunteers
Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna held a house dedication ceremony on Friday, April 22, for Nicole Smith and her daughters at Farm Road, Aberdeen. Dedication ceremonies are a Habitat tradition that celebrate the completion of the homeownership process with the Habitat homebuyer, volunteers, donors, sponsors, Board members, Habitat staff and community members.
The townhome was donated to Habitat Susquehanna by the Canlas Family Trust and rehabbed by Habitat’s volunteers.
“The generosity shown by the Canlas Family Trust in donating this townhouse is a perfect example of the other ways someone can give to Habitat,” said Habitat Susquehanna Executive Director Yvonne Golczewski. “We are so appreciative and grateful for their kind donation. They have forever changed the life of a family in need of a home.”
Other house sponsors included Bel Air United Methodist Church; Harford County Government; City of Aberdeen; Harford Mutual Insurance Group; Maryland Affordable Housing Trust; and, St. Margaret Parish.
The house was additionally supported by various congregations as part of a 2021 Faith in Unity Build. They were: Bel Air United Methodist Church; Bethel Presbyterian Church; Christ Fellowship Church; Church of Holy Spirit; Churchville Presbyterian Church; First Presbyterian Women; Grace United Methodist Church Aberdeen; Grove Presbyterian Church; Havre de Grace United Methodist Church; Highland Presbyterian Church; Holy Cross Episcopal Church; Hopewell United Methodist Women; Leeds United Methodist Church; Linden Heights United Methodist Church; Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd; Mt. Zion Baptist Church; Presbyterian Women/First Presbyterian Church; St. Ignatius Roman Catholic Church; St. Margaret Parish; St. Mary Anne’s Episcopal Church; Susquehanna Ministerium; Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church; and, Union United Methodist Church.
Additional contributors included: Gutter Guys; Kiddie Academy; Joppatowne Women’s Club; Darlington United Methodist Church; Hopewell United Methodist Church; Wesleyan Chapel; Karas and Bradford; Chick-Fil-A Aberdeen; and, Innovative Sweets.
As with all Habitat homebuyers, Nicole was required to contribute 250 “sweat equity” hours building her home or the home of another; take mandatory financial literacy classes to learn good money management skills; and, take home maintenance classes. Nicole will be purchasing her home through a Habitat mortgage made affordable specifically for her. Her house is made more affordable thanks to volunteer support and sponsorships that keep construction costs low.
Approved homebuyers must go through the rigorous financial review process to ensure they are eligible candidates for Habitat Susquehanna’s Homeownership Program. The eligibility criteria include demonstrating a housing need; showing an ability to make monthly mortgage payments; and, willingness to partner with Habitat Susquehanna.
About Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna, Inc.
Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna, Inc. is an ecumenical Christian housing organization devoted to building, renovating and repairing houses in partnership with the community in Harford and Cecil counties. Since Habitat Susquehanna’s inception in 1993, we have built or rehabbed 110 homes, supported 90+ builds abroad, made more than 500 repairs for 400+ families, and served 500+ people through financial counseling. We have lifted up more than 1,000 families and impacted well over 2,500 people! We are the experts in meeting the housing needs of low-income families in our area. For more information, call 410-638-4434 (Harford County) or 410-398-3399 (Cecil County) or visit www.habitatsusq.org.
