Chattanooga Association of Realtors (CAR) broke ground this week on a house they are building in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga (HabiChatt) and Realtors began working in shifts to erect the new home in the Shepherd Park Habitat community.
At the site of the house being built at 5843 Bunch Street, Kathy Tucker, president of CAR, told the crowd gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony, “This is a great day. The construction phase of our Habitat partnership begins today and that means Carlos and Sylvia Betancourt and their two daughters will be home for the holidays.”
The home, the first being built by local Realtors, is one of about 40 built or planned in the Shepherd Park neighborhood. HabiChatt, which to date has completed 160 homes in Chattanooga with more under construction, is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry seeking to eliminate poverty housing in Chattanooga.
In the Shepherd Park neighborhood, 19 homes have been completed and four more, including the Realtor-built home, are now under construction.
Said Ms. Tucker at the groundbreaking, “This home will provide a palace where they can express themselves, create memories and feel a part of this great community. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has contributed with donations and those who will be contributing their time” to build a home for the Betancourt family.
Joining in the groundbreaking, along with Sylvia Betancourt and daughters Demaris and Gabriella, were Gail Pollock, HabiChatt executive director, Don Wallis, president of the board, a builder and past president of Home Builders Association of Southern Tennessee, and Jack Riggar, HabiChatt resource director
The home is expected to be ready for the family to move in by mid-November and they will have a new home in which to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Realtors have signed up to work on the Habitat house on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, working in half-day shifts until the early part of November when the home is expected to be finished.
The Chattanooga Association of Realtors serves more than 1,300 members in the Hamilton County and North Georgia area.
Joining Kathy Tucker, right, president of Chattanooga Association of Realtors, at the groundbreaking for the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga house being built by Realtors are, from left Sussana Betancourt, sister-in-law of Minister Carlos Betancourt, daughter Damaris, wife Sylvia and daughter Gabriella. The minister was unable to be present. Click on all our photos to enlarge.
- Photo2 by Irby Park