A Chatham family is settling into their new home, thanks to Habitat for Humanity Chatham-Kent.
The keys to the multi-unit home on Houston Street were handed over to Adam Ferren and his family during a key turning ceremony in Chatham on Monday.
"It's great to get to the finish line and it's even better to get (there) with an amazing family, we couldn't be happier," said Anne Taylor, office and volunteer manager for Habitat for Humanity Chatham-Kent. "The process is a long process that the families have to go through to qualify, but when you end with results and a great family like this, it's totally worth it."
The homes, which were built on a piece of donated land, include three bedrooms and an unfinished basement.
"There was a house that was once on this property," said Taylor. "The owner was no longer in a position to maintain it and he wanted to move out west with his daughter. He wrote us a letter saying he wanted to donate the land to Habitat for Humanity Chatham-Kent."
The two new units mark the seventh and eighth builds for the organization in Chatham-Kent.
After living a in a three-story apartment building, Ferren said he is most excited about having space for him and his children to spend outside.
"I'm super excited about the little things, like cutting the grass and being able to do laundry in my own home," said Ferren. "My kids are excited about having a yard to play in and nicely painted bedrooms. It's nice that the community can come together for something like this."
As an alternative to a down payment, Habitat for Humanity asks its applicants to pledge 500 volunteer hours toward building their home and providing community service.
"I coach a lot of sports myself, so that is part of my contribution," said Ferren. "I am going to be helping out with Habitat and it's something I plan on continuing doing."
Mortgage payments for families are capped at no more than 30 per cent of a family's household income and do not accrue interest.
A second family, a single mom and her two children, will be moving into a second unit on Houston Street in the coming weeks.