Habitat For Humanity Starts Construction on Home for Canton Family

Last Saturday, Habitat for Humanity - North Central Georgia started construction on a new home on Arliss Drive, located in Canton. This is the first of four homes that will be built on this street for Habitat families.

This home is special, as it is being built by local congregations that are not only providing the funds, but also the volunteer labor. It was a beautiful morning to celebrate the start of construction and many volunteers, family members and Habitat staff and board members were present to celebrate with the Khup family, who will be purchasing the home when it is completed in March of 2015.

“We are very excited that this is the first of two ecumenical builds that will be completed in Cherokee County in 2015,” stated Sabrina Kirkland, manager of Faith Relations and Community Investment for Habitat North Central Georgia. “We are receiving tremendous support from the local congregations, and we hope it will continue and grow each year.”

The partner family, Sial and Esther Khup, will be working along-side the church volunteers for the next five months to help build their home. The couple has three young children; Jason (11), Willie (10), and Vanesa (6). The family is originally from Burma, but fled in 2007 to Malaysia as political refugees. They were assisted by the United nations in immigrating to the United States soon after. First, Esther and the children arrived in 2008, and then Sial joined them in 2013. Esther is employed at a local auto parts manufacturing company.

Habitat is able to build the home due to the generosity of Canton First United Methodist Church that has contributed over half of the funds. The remaining funds are being provided by local congregations and businesses, including Hickory Flat United Methodist Church, Hillside United Methodist Church, Mount Zion United Methodist Church, North Georgia United Methodist Housing and Homeless Council, Temple Beth Tikva and Windsong Properties.

In the picture, Sial and Esther Khup and their children, Jason, Willie and Vanesa, put the first nail into their home. Standing next to them is Cheryl Mosley, Habitat Coordinator for Canton First United Methodist Church.

Habitat for Humanity - North Central Georgia is a non-profit, Christian housing ministry that builds simple, decent homes for purchase by low income families who demonstrate a capacity for responsible homeownership. Since its inception in 1995, 256 homes have been completed and over 1000 family members have been served in North Fulton, Cherokee and Forsyth/Dawson counties. Each family is required to attend six educational classes and perform 200-300 sweat equity hours. Families earn between 30% and 60% of the Atlanta area median income and purchase their homes from Habitat, which provides them with a 25-yer, no interest loan. Family members work side by side with the volunteers, sponsors, and Habitat staff to build their homes. These families not only get to experience the pride of homeownership, but they also know that their lives will be changed forever. For more information on Habitat for Humanity - North Central Georgia, please visit www.habitat-ncg.org