Bens Street House
As Habitat adapts to the current economic downturn, both foreclosures and rehabs are being used as a way to get families into houses more rapidly and more economically. Such a home is currently available in Ann Arbor for the Selemani Alinoti family. The AACRC has decided to take on this project.
The Alinoti family is is a Christian family with five children (ages 20, 14, 12, 10, & 5), one of whom is a special needs child. Manny works in Ann Arbor and Fatuma is taking classes at WCC. Their oldest daughter Rose works at Hiller’s Market. The family currently lives in Ypsilanti. Manny and Fatuma are originally from the DR Congo.
Manny and Fatuma’s main goal is the success of their children and they believe owning their own home will provide more family stability where their children can build confidence. They share that they are Christians and they say, “We love what Habitat is doing for many families.”
Habitat seeks 8-10 volunteers every Friday and Saturday for eight weekends after the first of the year. The house needs two additional basement bedrooms so licensed contractors are very welcome in regard to framing, electrical, & HVAC systems. Construction experience for the additional volunteers is not necessarily required. The upstairs needs a thorough cleaning and painting. This is a great opportunity for those of us lacking construction experience to get involved.
Further needs include: meals and much, much prayer. If we want to be the sole sponsors of this project, our financial commitment would be $10,000 as the City of Ann Arbor is providing a “permanent affordability grant” to this family that will cover the major part of their mortgage. Pray that we can provide both the dollars and volunteers to complete this project and get the Alinoti family into a home by spring 2009.
Bens Street House Dedication – April 19, 2009
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