VHDA Sponsors Second Habitat Home in Merriewood Subdivision

Chesterfield, VA - Today, Angela Burnette, 34, and her extended family of five children, will officially receive the keys to their new Habitat home. As part of the celebration, there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony that will include representatives from Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity - and the Virginia Housing Development Authority. VHDA is the sponsor of Angela Burnette's Habitat house.
The path to homeownership has not been an easy one for Burnette. Due to circumstances completely out of her control, she has had to work particularly hard, and face a variety of life's challenges to finally achieve her "American Dream" of owning a home.

When Burnette initially applied to Habitat, the single mother of a then 14-year old son was hoping to qualify for just a two-bedroom home. "I was ecstatic when we were accepted," said Burnette. "After working for months, with my family and friends helping me with the paperwork, then going through interviews, and making the commitment for more than 350 'sweat equity' hours, we were overjoyed when we qualified."

Soon after learning the good news about her acceptance into the Habitat program, Burnette's dream was suddenly derailed for approximately two years. Her younger sister, Martha, the mother of four children, was tragically killed. Burnette was now faced with the care and shelter of five children instead of one. She was also challenged with the responsibility of supporting a family of six on the salary of an administrative specialist.

Fortunately, with the help of Habitat and Burnette's family and friends. She eventually qualified for a four-bedroom Habitat home.

At the presentation, VHDA Executive Director Susan Dewey said, "This ribbon cutting is special for two reasons: the first and perhaps most important reason is because Angela has worked tirelessly to overcome a variety of obstacles to acquire a home for herself and her five children. Throughout the entire process she has shown she is a woman of courage and commitment, and we are thrilled for her. "
"We are also very proud of our VHDA associates who volunteered so many hours of their time. VHDA is particularly pleased to have once again participated as a Habitat sponsor and in making this Richmond's first Habitat "Green Built" Home. More than 105 VHDA's associates volunteered to work more than 1,108 hours along with Burnette to help build the house." Dewey said.

Some of the benefits to living in a "green built" house include saving up to 60 percent in energy costs, living in a home that is built and operated with the greatest possible energy and resources efficiency such as improved indoor air quality, double-glazed windows, hi-efficiency heat pump and high density insulation.
Upon receiving the keys to the house, Burnette said, "This is a new journey for us all. God has truly blessed my family." Her children include son Donnell, 15, nieces Joshulyn, 13, Colandra, 10, Tyesha, 9, and nephew, Maquan, 5.
This is the second year VHDA associates have sponsored and helped build a Habitat house. The house is one of 27 in the all-Habitat subdivision of Merriewood, located in Chesterfield County.

When the development is completed, there will be a total of 27 Habitat homes with families who have contributed more than 10,000 hours of "sweat equity," to help themselves become homeowners.
The Virginia Housing Development Authority is Virginia's state housing finance agency and is self-supporting. VHDA issues bonds to raise private capital to provide low-interest rate home loans and other home loan financing alternatives to Virginians seeking safe, decent, affordable housing.

The ribbon cutting will take place Friday, June 7, 2002, from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. in the Merriewood Subdivision in Chesterfield. For information, please call: 232-7001.