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Mesilla Valley Habitat for Humanity (MVHH) hosted Landscaping Day last month as it nears completion on three new houses on Aurora Star Court.
“We were so thankful to have volunteers from our community partners at Wells Fargo, First American Bank, Progressive and Singletree Landscaping,” said MVHH Executive Director April Estrada. “Jay and his team at Sunland Nursery donated one tree and five shrubs for each of the three addresses we are working on. This partnership has been ongoing and is much appreciated! First American Bank was the lunch sponsor for Saturday's event.
The homeowners for the three houses are the Ponce family (husband, wife and three children), the Renteria family (husband, wife and four children), and the Barraza family (mother, daughter and the daughter's son), Estrada said.
“The success of our builds comes from these partnerships: the families, local and traveling volunteers and these community partners,” she said. “The success of the homeownership journey for our families is made possible by the willingness of our community members. They show up. They work hard. They help habitat future homeowners' vision come to fruition. They are all so essential in us furthering our mission and continuing to make an impact here in the Mesilla Valley.
MVHH broke ground on the three houses last October. They are expected to be ready for occupancy this summer, Estrada said.
MVHH celebrates its 35th anniversary in 2023. With the three new houses on Aurora Star Court, it will have helped make homeowners of nearly 130 local families. 1987-2022, an estimated 18,000 volunteers have held MVHH build 128 homes, volunteering more than 160,000 hours, according to the MVHH website.
Qualifying homeowners are selected based on economic need, ability to pay their share of the costs and willingness to help with the construction. Every local family that qualifies for a MVHH house must contribute 300-500 hours of sweat equity helping to build their own home or someone else’s. Each participating family makes a small down payment on the house and pays a monthly long-term, low-interest mortgage. To qualify, families must have a steady source of income. For more information, contact Estrada at 575-525-0475, aestrada@lascruceshabitat.org. Visit lascruceshabitat.org.
