ELIZABETHTOWN — The vision of home ownership is in view for one Bladen County couple.

In October, Jerry and Regina McIntyre broke ground on their Habitat for Humanity home, located on King Street in Elizabethtown. Since that time, the structure has been completed, and standard inspections are being conducted. Painting will be done next week, and exterior facia, landscaping, and the driveway are yet to be done.

According to Ruthie Dent, vice-president of marketing and special events for Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity, the McIntyres’ home will be ready to move into some time in May.

“I can’t tell you how impressed I’ve been with them,” Tammy Laurence, executive director of Fayetteville Habitat for Humanity, said of the family. “Their character, their hard work, their love for God, and God’s hand on them.”

The new home for the family of four is possible because of a joint effort of involving Habitat for Humanity and the State Employees’ Credit Union Foundation. The SECU Foundation pledged $10 million over three years for 100 houses — one in each N.C. county — that Habitat for Humanity of North Carolina would build. Now that the Bladen County build is nearing construction, Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity is looking for families for its first build in Sampson County.

“FAHFH is ready to take on the challenge and expand our service area to our county neighbors who are in need of affordable housing,” said Laurence. “County lines should not keep families from coming to us to help them fulfill their dream of home ownership.”

Habitat homes are sold at cost, with 20-25 year interest free mortgages. Currently, the mortgage payment on a three-bedroom Habitat house is approximately $500 a month. This payment includes property taxes, homeowner’s insurance and termite coverage. Homeowners are selected based on their need for decent, affordable housing, ability to afford a monthly mortgage payment and willingness to partner in building houses with Habitat, including 300 hours of sweat equity.

The organization already has property in Sampson County and is looking for willing hands and feet to put their plan in action.

“We’d love volunteers,” said Dent. “It was our challenge building our first home in Bladen County — recruiting local people to help. We don’t like to put requirements on volunteering. If you don’t have skills, but want to come and learn and work alongside skilled volunteers, we can use you. All we ask is that volunteers are at least 18 years of age.”

To help with the Sampson County build, visit the Volunteer Hub at fayettevillenchabitat.org.

For more information, or to see if you or someone you know meets the eligibility requirements for a Habitat home, contact FAHFH Vice President of Family Services Jimmy Teal at 910-483-0952.

Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. Incorporated in 1988, Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity, Inc. is a North Carolina nonprofit corporation and is a designated 501(c) (3) by the Internal Revenue Service.

Chrysta Carroll can be reached by calling 910-862-4163.

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By Chrysta Carroll

ccarroll@civitasmedia.com