Staying Busy in PG County
Mt. Rainier, Winter 2000/2001

One house recently completed, two underway, two planned for near future

There's excitement in the air at P.G. Habitat! Our committees are busy meeting monthly and reaching out to the community. We just received a very positive review. And our main work, building affordable housing for low-income families, is really taking off.

Since our last newsletter we've completed a house on what had formerly been a vacant lot in Mount Rainier with help from many volunteer workers, substantial financial support from area churches, companies, and individuals. The five members of the Cox family moved in on October 30, 1999.

Now, two additional projects are in progress. A recently-donated house on Gunther Street in Capitol Heights is being rehabilitated for a family of four. And a house damaged by fire on Goshun Place in Fairmount Heights is also being refurbished. Habitat is currently accepting applications from families wishing to be considered for this house.

We are also very pleased to be working with members of the United States Senate in building two houses from the ground up on Mentor Avenue in Capitol Heights as part of a nationwide collaboration between the Senate and Habitat for Humanity International. "The House the Senate Built" aims to involve senators in building two houses in every state, and we are proud that the Mentor Avenue houses will be the first two of the entire national project. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are the major financial sponsors of this project. A groundbreaking ceremony for the Mentor Avenue homes took place on September 27, and work will begin in earnest in February. Families have already been accepted for the homes, and they are looking forward to moving in after the expected June completion date.

Looking to the future, the site committee is currently investigating how best to use a plot of land in Riverdale that was donated to us and on which could fit as many as five or six houses. Additionally, the committee is reviewing three other sites from around the county that have been offered as donations.

"We have been blessed with numerous volunteers, organizations, church sponsors, and generous supporters," says P.G. Habitat Charlene McCall. "Times have never been better!"