VALDOSTA, GA (WALB) -
The Valdosta-Lowndes County chapter of Habitat for Humanity will dedicate a home in honor of 9/11 victims later this fall.
It's the third house the organization has built this year, but that's fewer than they normally build. It's been a tough year for the charity.
One family in need will soon move into this home on Troup Street. Built by hundreds of volunteers, military members, and first responders, this home's theme is called the Freedom Build, in honor to those who lost their lives on 9/11.
"There are a lot of really good people out there, people who think of others before they think of themselves, who come out to our construction sites, give their time to see that a family's life is changed forever. This home will change someone's life forever," said Stuart Mullis, Executive Director for Valdosta-Lowndes County chapter.
But getting donations has been hard for the organization. Their federal funding budget has been cut in half. They've only built three homes this year and in past years they've already built seven.
"We've been hurt by the economy its slowed down individual donations, corporate donations, its slowed down everything. So we have to adapt there's no question about that, but we'll be back, we'll come in as strong as we can, when we can," said Mullis.
But Habitat for Humanity won't stop building.
All on the same block there are two habitat homes behind me and three across the street. The purpose for all of these families is to support each other through this life changing experience.
"We like to build in areas where we can build several houses together because it makes a core of common experience with the homeowners, it starts a trend in the neighborhood of straightening up, cleaning up," said Mike Eddington, Resource Manager.
This home will cost about $70,000 to build but all of the labor is free, and the chosen homeowners will have a zero interest mortgage.
The home will be completed in the next month.
The organization hopes to build three of four more homes by the end of the year.
Copyright 2012 WALB. All rights reserved.
@
@
@
@
@
@
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 Worldnow and WALB, a Raycom Media Station. 
