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Delayed Habitat homes finally going up
Poor weather, power pole removal waylaid low-income housing projects
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More from Growth and HousingAfter four years and several construction delays, two out of three Habitat for Humanity homes are taking shape in east Simi Valley this week.
The project will allow three low-income single mothers, each with three children, to have a place to call home by September, organizers said.
"We're thrilled to finally get started with the construction, and we are happy for these families," said Stacy Swanson, executive director of Ventura County's Habitat for Humanity.
The most time-consuming delay on the project involves a power pole on the third property. Habitat officials had been trying for months to find out whose responsibility it was to remove the pole — the city or Southern California Edison.
"They need to put a power line underground," said Rob Bruce, the city's deputy director for housing and special projects.
Edison is set to remove the pole this month, Bruce said. Then the city can issue a building permit.
In the meantime, two homes can move forward. This past weekend, about 75 volunteers from the community came out to dig and prepare the ground for Wednesday, when the concrete will be poured for the foundation.
The first Habitat for Humanity project in the city, it was approved by the City Council in 2004. The homes will sit on 1.5 acres on the corner of Royal and Sequoia avenues.
The weather also caused some delays in getting the project started.
"There was so much rain this year, about 10 to 11 inches. When the dirt was wet, we couldn't dig," said Matt Gilling, volunteer coordinator for the nonprofit housing group.
The families were selected in February 2007, Gilling said. In addition to the hundreds of volunteers who help build, each homeowner must contribute 500 hours of work.
The three families selected now live in cramped apartments in Simi Valley, Gilling said.
Habitat homes are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with affordable loans. In 2004, Simi Valley provided a $270,000 loan to help build the homes. The homeowners' monthly mortgage payments are used to construct other Habitat houses.
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Posted by mmshoot on April 8, 2008 at 6:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The only real damper on this warm project- including more rainy days- is mentioned in the article. It is guys like Rob Bruce, the city's deputy director for housing and special projects.
He maintains that: "They need to put a power line underground." I don't know about you but I am sick and tired of hearing pompous politicians and babbling bureaucrats tell me what "I need to do" or "Where they need to put" power. As long as it is safe, grant the permit. I do have some places I think Mr. Bruce can put his comments.
Posted by Resolute_Yet_Ambivalent on April 8, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Overhead power lines are ugly and dangerous!
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