Roswell Community Comes Together to Renovate Home for Family of Four

Last Thursday, Habitat North Central Georgia held a dedication ceremony for the Torabzadeh family of Roswell. Kaveh and Sanaz have two young children; Danial, age 6, and Dorsa, who just turned one. It was a beautiful day and the celebration was attended by City representatives, community members, family friends and Habitat staff. The family was honored to have City of Roswell Councilmembers, Jerry Orlans and Betty Price present to welcome them as new homeowners.

“I had the pleasure of attending the very first Habitat home dedicated in Roswell over fifteen years ago, and now to this most recent dedication,” stated Councilmember Jerry Orlans. “Over the years I have admired the mission of this organization and how they help people with the best, most basic, helping hand available; having your own home in which to live!”

The family is thrilled to finally have a place they can call home. Kaveh and Sanaz Torabzadeh immigrated from Iran and have been living in the Roswell area for the last three years. Kaveh works full-time at the Roswell Presbyterian Church and attends nursing school in the evenings. Sanaz stays at home to care for their two children. Their home on Zion Circle is within walking distance to Kaveh’s job and couldn’t be more convenient. “We would like to thank the City of Roswell and the volunteers from Roswell Presbyterian Church for helping to make this house a home for us,” stated Kaveh Torabzadeh, homeowner. “We are very grateful and blessed to have received so much support.”

The home on Zion Circle was able to be purchased and rehabilitated due to the tremendous support from both the City of Roswell and the Roswell Presbyterian Church. The City of Roswell provided HOME grant funds to help fund the acquisition and part of the rehabilitation of the home. The Roswell Presbyterian Church provided additional funding for the rehabilitation and, in addition, provided volunteers to complete some of the renovations including painting and landscaping. Reverend Mary Cox, Roswell Presbyterian Church Pastor, also attended the ceremony to accept a hammer plaque and blessed family and their new home.

Habitat for Humanity-North Central Georgia is a non-profit, Christian housing ministry that builds affordable homes for purchase by low-income families who demonstrate the capacity for responsible homeownership. Since its inception in 1995, Habitat-NCG has completed 262 homes serving an estimated 1,000 family members in the North Fulton area and Cherokee, Dawson and Forsyth Counties. Habitat-NCG does not give away its homes. Partner families, who earn 30% to 60% of the Atlanta area median income, purchase their homes at or near appraised value utilizing 30-year no-interest financing provided by Habitat. In addition, each partner family is required to attend educational classes and perform 200-300 hours of construction “sweat equity.”

Family members work side by side with the volunteers, sponsors, and Habitat staff to build their homes. Habitat-NCG’s slogan is “A Hand Up, Not a Handout.” For more information concerning Habitat for Humanity-North Central Georgia, please visit www.habitat-ncg.org.