This won’t come close to solving Plymouth’s burgeoning affordable housing crisis, but it’s a small step in the right direction.
The nonprofit Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plymouth has announced its next project – the rehab and expansion of an existing home on Wareham Road, not far from the Wareham border. The group said that it’s now accepting applications from income-qualified people interested in owning the house, which is suitable for two-to-four people.
In a press release, the group said its “mission is to build strength, stability and self-reliance through affordable homeownership.”
Eligibility for applying is based on income guidelines. An applicant’s income – either as an individual or as a household – can’t exceed 60 percent of the Area Median Income, which is set by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. For example, a single buyer can make up to $68,580 this year, and a family of four could qualify with a total income of $97,920 or less. The Habitat for Humanity website has all the details.
You also must work or live in or near Plymouth, Kingston, Carver, Plympton, Middleborough, or Lakeville.
The Habitat for Humanity model includes successful applicants contributing “sweat equity,” meaning they are expected to put in hours alongside volunteers working on the house, assist at the organization’s ReStore or office, or help out in other ways.
In the fall, qualified applicants’ names will be placed in a lottery, with one securing the Wareham Road property.
But Habitat for Humanity stresses that it’s not like winning a big prize with no strings attached. When the work on the property is complete, the home will be sold to the lucky applicant, who will assume a mortgage of about $190,000. The property will also be deed-restricted as an affordable unit in perpetuity.
Anyone interested in learning more is strongly encouraged to attend a public information session at the Habitat Restore, 160 North Main St., Carver, at 3 p.m., on Sunday, Aug. 18. Registration is not required.
The deadline to apply for the Plymouth project is 4 p.m. on Sept. 3. Applications are available the Habitat ReStore, at any public library in the organization’s service area, or online here.
For more information, email info@hfhplymouth.org or call 508-866-4188.
Mark Pothier can be reached at mark@plymouthindependent.org.